Turkey Ministry of Labor proposes workplace nursery and breastfeeding room mandates

The Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security has prepared a draft regulation aimed at increasing female labor force participation and enhancing occupational health and safety for pregnant and breastfeeding employees.

Under the proposed rules, workplaces with 150 or more female employees will be required to provide nursery, daycare, or preschool services for children aged 0-6. Employers may establish these facilities independently, form joint ventures with other employers, or contract with authorized institutions. All establishment and operating costs must be covered by the employer. The employee count will be calculated based on the total number of female employees across all workplaces owned by the same employer within the same district boundaries. Notably, male employees who have lost their children's mother or have sole custody will also be included in these calculations.

Additionally, workplaces with 100 or more female employees will be mandated to provide breastfeeding rooms. The definition of these rooms will be expanded to include facilities for expressing breast milk and storing it under hygienic conditions.

The draft also includes protections for pregnant and breastfeeding staff. If health risks are identified, employers must temporarily modify working conditions or hours. If such modifications are not possible, employees may be transferred to different roles without a reduction in wages. The regulation also seeks to restrict pregnant employees from performing tasks involving heavy vibrations, noise levels exceeding 80 decibels, ionizing radiation, or exposure to certain hazardous chemicals.