By Caroline Washaya Moyo
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has introduced a progressive workplace policy allowing breastfeeding public servants to travel with their babies and accompanying baby minders when undertaking approved Government business within Zimbabwe.
The policy, which seeks to promote workplace inclusivity and eliminate discrimination against breastfeeding members of the Public Service, provides an important step towards creating a more supportive working environment for mothers while ensuring equal opportunities for career participation and professional responsibilities.
The development follows requests from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) seeking guidance from the Commission on the conditions applicable to breastfeeding employees who wish to travel with their children and baby minders while on official duty.
After considering the requests, the Commission approved a policy framework that permits eligible breastfeeding members to be accompanied by their babies and baby minders during authorised Government assignments within the country.
Under the new arrangements, the respective Ministry will be responsible for providing transport, meals and accommodation for the accompanying baby minder. These expenses must be incorporated into the Ministry’s annual budget to facilitate implementation.
The policy outlines specific eligibility requirements and procedures to ensure that the facility is accessed in a structured and accountable manner.
A breastfeeding member intending to travel with a baby and baby minder is required to submit a written application to the Head of Ministry before undertaking the official trip.
The Head of Ministry will assess the application based on established conditions, including confirmation that the employee is travelling away from their workstation on official duty and qualifies for travel and subsistence benefits.
The policy applies to breastfeeding mothers with children up to a maximum age of two years. However, special consideration may be granted in accordance with the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy.
Applicants are also required to provide supporting documentation, including maternity leave records or the baby’s birth certificate, together with a copy of the baby minder’s National Identity Document.
To ensure that the arrangement does not compromise the employee’s work responsibilities, the duration of absence from the workstation should not exceed one month unless there are justifiable circumstances approved by the Head of Ministry.
Furthermore, the baby minder must be an adult aged 18 years and above, a provision intended to safeguard children against exploitation.
The Commission has also clarified that Government will not be held liable for any injury, illness, loss or other incident that may befall the baby or baby minder during official travel.
Beyond its administrative provisions, the policy reflects an important recognition of the need to balance public service responsibilities with family and maternal needs.
By allowing breastfeeding mothers to participate in official assignments without having to make difficult choices between their professional obligations and childcare responsibilities, the initiative strengthens the principles of equal opportunity, employee welfare and inclusive public service delivery.
It also provides Ministries with a structured framework for accommodating the needs of breastfeeding employees while ensuring that the associated costs are properly planned for within Government budgets.
The policy marks a significant step towards building a public service environment that recognises the importance of supporting working mothers and ensuring that motherhood does not become a barrier to professional participation and advancement.
