According to regulations in Sichuan, women engaged in exclusive breastfeeding are entitled to an additional month of breastfeeding leave beyond the standard six-month maternity leave. (Wikimedia Commons photo/ Representational)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, as per reports by South China Morning Post.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” or face the revocation of her leave, as per SCMP.Additionally, the company sought compensation for the salary and social insurance contributions they had made during her leave.Legal battle and court rulingIn response, Luo filed for labour dispute arbitration, and the arbitration commission upheld her claim, affirming that she had sufficient proof. The company subsequently appealed the decision in a local court, but the court sided with Luo as well, noting that she resumed breastfeeding within the two-week period and had a hospital diagnosis supporting her need for the one-month breastfeeding leave.Also Read: | A China firm threatened to fire single, divorced employees. What happened nextAccording to regulations in Sichuan, women engaged in exclusive breastfeeding are entitled to an additional month of breastfeeding leave beyond the standard six-month maternity leave.Online reactionsThe case, reported by Henan Television on February 20, sparked backlash online.Story continues below this ad“Such a stingy company,” one social media user commented on Weibo. Another remarked, “Some Chinese companies need a comprehensive education on labour law.” A third user added, “It is because of such companies that many women are disinclined to have children,” reported SCMP.China’s annual new births peaked at 17.86 million in 2016 after birth control policies were relaxed but have since declined for seven consecutive years. The birth count in 2024 was 9.54 million as per SCMP, showing a slight increase over the previous year. Chinese demographer He Yafu attributed the rise to parents’ preferences for babies born during the Year of the Dragon.Also Read: | China firm imposes 2-minute toilet limit, revokes rule after outrageDespite regulations prohibiting inquiries about a job applicant’s marital status or children, many employers continue to intrude into applicants’ private lives, making single or childless marital status a barrier for numerous women seeking employment. Some women have called for legal amendments to provide fathers with the same amount of paternity leave as mothers receive in maternity leave, reducing the discrimination women face in the job market.Currently, new fathers in mainland China are granted between seven and 30 days of paternity leave.(With inputs from South China Morning Post)© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd