By Abdul Kareem

The Head of Civil Service in Borno state expressed both support and reservations regarding the proposed extension of maternity leave for workers. He welcomed the idea of extended maternity leave but raised concerns about its potential impact on productivity due to insufficient manpower.

During a meeting with the CS-SUNN team, the Head of Service highlighted the possible challenges in day-to-day operations if working mothers were to be granted six months of leave, emphasizing the importance of maintaining workforce efficiency.

While acknowledging the significance of maternal and child health, the Head of Service stressed the importance of implementing policies in a balanced manner that takes into account the broader implications on workforce performance.

Borno Head of Service flanked by Borno CS-SUNN members during an advocacy visit on extended maternity leave at his office in Maiduguri

Hajiya Aishatu Midala, the Borno CS-SUNN Coordinator, emphasized the critical role of adequate breastfeeding for infants, particularly during the first six months. She argued that granting a six-month maternity leave would enable mothers to adhere to the recommended exclusive breastfeeding practices, which are often hindered by workplace distractions and constraints faced by working mothers.

Midala pointed out that many children are deprived of essential nutrition during their formative years due to the challenges faced by working mothers, which can have a direct impact on their future mental and physical development.