The financing need for expanded maternity protection in Indonesia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Economics
• Maternal and Child Health

Background:

• Exclusive breastfeeding rates in Indonesia remain suboptimal, with nearly half of infants under six months not exclusively breastfed in 2017.
• Optimizing maternity protection programs presents a potential strategy to improve breastfeeding rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the cost implications of enhancing Indonesia's paid maternity leave program.
• To determine the budget required for increasing lactation room availability in medium and large enterprises.
• To identify implementation challenges for improved maternity protection policies.

Main Methods:

• Cost-benefit analysis of extending paid maternity leave (three to six months) and government budget impact projections (2020-2030).
• Estimation of costs for establishing lactation rooms in formal sector companies based on established standards.
• Qualitative interviews with 29 respondents across five provinces to identify implementation barriers.

Main Results:

• Expanding paid maternity leave and ensuring lactation rooms in 80% of medium/large firms is estimated at US$1.0 billion (2020-2030).
• Establishing basic lactation rooms in 80% of medium and large companies could cost US$18.1 million over ten years.
• Key barriers identified include marketing of breastmilk substitutes, lack of workplace lactation rooms, and cultural practices affecting breastfeeding.

Conclusions:

• The economic benefits of improved maternity leave, including reduced child mortality and morbidity, outweigh the costs.
• A cost-sharing model between government and the private sector could make extended paid maternity leave economically feasible.
• Overcoming identified barriers is essential to realize the full benefits of recommended breastfeeding practices.