Vietnam – Guidelines On Deploying The Room For Pressing And Storing Breast Milk At Workplace.

25 November 2021

On 09 November 2021, Ministry of Health issued Decision No. 5175/QD-BYT to give approval on the document named “Guidelines on deploying the room for pressing and storing breast milk at workplace” (the “Guidelines”). Some notable contents are as follows:

 

• The Guidelines is the basis for the implementation of employers who employ female employees.

 

• The location of the room for pressing and storing breast milk must be no more than 10-minute walk from the workplace of most female employees. All female employees must be informed of the location of this room.

 

• The number of the rooms for pressing and storing breast milk increases correspondingly to the number of female employees. Moreover, when the number of female employees is 1000 people or more, the installation of a room for pressing and storing breast milk is mandatory. Details of the number of rooms for pressing and storing breast milk according to the number of female employees are specified in the Guidelines.

 

• The criteria of the room for pressing and storing breast milk are divided into two levels, Basic and Full. Depending on actual capabilities and conditions, the workplaces where female employees work shall set up a room for pressing and storing breast milk at an appropriate level. Details of the criteria for the room to express and store breast milk are specified in the Guidelines.

 

• Based on the actual situation, the employers organize media activities and popularize the training for female employees working in the unit on the establishment and operation the room for pressing and storing breast milk. Details on the media activities and training are provided in the Guidelines.

 

• The employers must arrange time for female employees to take alternate breaks for milk pressing. Based on specific conditions, the employers arrange the time so as not to affect the production; suitable for the use capacity of the pressing, storing breast milk room, avoiding overload; suitable for the biological needs of female employees in milk pressing.

 

• The management and operation of the room for pressing and storing breast milk are specified in the Guidelines.

 

• The operation of the room for pressing and storing breast milk must be reported monthly. In addition, the employer needs to monitor and collect feedback from female employees on the use of the room for pressing and storing breast milk.