CMNT_TITLE

Maternity Protection Convention, 1919 (No. 3) - Nicaragua (RATIFICATION: 1934)

Article 3(d) of the Convention. Nursing breaks. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in response to its previous comment clarifying that, even though section 143(2) of the Labour Code provides for a break of 15 minutes every three hours for nursing, it is a national practice accepted by the Ministry of Labour that women workers can come to work an hour later or leave an hour before their established working time. The Committee also notes the information that various collective agreements provide for longer breaks, in conformity with Article 3(d) of the Convention, which provides for two breaks of half an hour in a working day. The Committee observes that, although it is a common practice, the sectoral nature of collective agreements and their limitation in time does not ensure that effect is given to Article 3(d) for all women workers covered by the Convention. In view of the above, the Committee expects that the Government will take all the necessary measures to adapt the national legislation respecting nursing breaks, and particularly section 143(2) of the Labour Code, so as to bring it into full conformity with the national practice and with Article 3(d) of the Convention.