IUF raises inadequate maternity provisions with Nestlé – significant improvement announced

In meetings with Nestlé corporate management on gender issues, the IUF had consistently pointed out to Nestlé that there was a need to raise its global standards on the issue of maternity protection at least to the level of ILO Convention 183. In a welcome move Nestlé has now acted.

On June 26 Nestlé announced a new global policy on maternity protection, which establishes minimum standards based on the ILO Maternity Protection Convention (C183). This policy will give Nestlé workers the right to a minimum of 14 weeks’ paid leave and will be a welcome improvement in countries, such as the United States, where maternity protection legislation is lacking.