'Childcare facilities at workplace boost output'

26 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

A day-care centre for the children of the working mothers should be established at every public and private organisation to increase productivity, said speakers at a roundtable discussion yesterday. If an organisation provides childcare facilities, it would add some positive impacts on the career of the women and on the output of the company, said journalist Sumona Shrmin. Most of the women quit jobs only to bring up their kids despite having successful careers, she said. “We cannot let those women to be dropped out and effective measures must be taken in this regard.” The roundtable entitled 'Maternity and Human Resource Development' was organised by Prothom Alo Jobs in association with Brac Bank Limited at the office of the daily Prothom Alo in the city. Mothers who work at different companies in the city shared their experiences at the discussion. A participant said most organisations are unwilling to allow due maternity leave to expectant mothers. Women often have to quit their jobs only to look after the children, another participant told the roundtable. “Giving birth to a child is the hardest job ever,” said Shamima Akhter, a mother who works for the IDLC Finance Company Ltd. “It becomes very difficult for the would be mothers and women having children if minimum support -- maternity leave, breast feeding time -- is not provided by their organisations.”