‘Stingy’ firm: China new mum wins case after breastfeeding leave revoked due to illness
Some women are pushing for equal paternity leave for fathers to reduce workplace discrimination against mothers
A new mother in southwestern China took her company to court after it revoked her breastfeeding leave due to her illness, which made her unable to nurse her baby.
The woman, identified by her surname, Luo, from Sichuan province, had been granted maternity leave along with a one-month breastfeeding leave by the e-commerce company before the birth of her child in January 2022.
After her baby was diagnosed with jaundice, the doctor advised her to cease breastfeeding for two weeks until her child made a full recovery.
Luo shared the diagnosis on her social media account. Upon noticing her post, the company demanded that she provide “breastfeeding proof”; otherwise, they would revoke her breastfeeding leave.
Additionally, the company sought compensation for the salary and social insurance contributions they had made during her leave.
In response, Luo filed for labour dispute arbitration, and the arbitration commission upheld her claim, affirming that she had sufficient proof.