I can't locate a copy of our current contract as it was re-negotiated last
year in a completely new pay system, but all female public employees in
Norway (and we have a humongous public sector) have long had the right to up
to two hours per workday off with pay as long as they were breastfeeding.
There was no age limit for the child; this provision was from the time when
our maternity leave was only 12 weeks, in contrast to the nearly one year we
have now, and we have managed to keep it in the contract ever since.  That
leave is also at full pay, BTW, and it is not subject to contract, it is set
by law.  BF breaks are also set by law, but the law only provides for up to
one hour per day, and says nothing about pay.
I believe many private employees have this same provision, but I am not that
familiar with current contracts in the private sector.
For the record, virtually all women working in the health services are
covered by this contract as we are all public employees.
Even with all of this, I know that many women feel it is difficult to make
use of their right to reduced hours at full pay, especially those who BF
after the 12 months which are the current recommendation.  'Thereafter as
mother and child wish' is the wording, instead of just using the WHO
wording, which of course is something like 'throughout the first two years
and thereafter as mother and child wish'.
Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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