Hanoi is hosting an international conference seeking the ratification of Convention no. 183 concerning the rights of working pregnant and nursing women.

The convention, presented by Laura Addatti, an expert on female workers from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), focused on ensuring women’s rights before, during and after childbirth.

Under the convention, women are entitled to maternity leave of no less than 14 weeks, as well as allowances, and medical care.

It also states that a woman must be guaranteed a safe working environment during her pregnancy and the right to return to the same job at the end of her maternity leave. She shall also be given medical guidance and care and have the chance to breastfeed her child.

Only 19 nations in the world have ratified Convention 183, none of them in Asia.

In the Asian region, Vietnam, Japan and Australia are considered by ILO to have attained sufficient standards to take part in the convention. These countries ensure that women have a maternity leave of 17-26 weeks and receive 100 percent of their wage during this leave.

Addressing the conference on February 22, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) Nguyen Thi Thu Hong affirmed that her organisation attaches great importance to improving the quality of life and pregnancy health of women.

Ms Hong added that the Vietnamese Party and State pay due attention to women’s issues and make great efforts to refine the laws to protect their rights.

The two-day conference is co-organized by the VGCL, ILO, the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions, the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation, and the International Metalworkers’ Federation.