The ICTU has called on all employers to immediately update facilities in the workplace for breastfeeding mothers.
New regulations governing mothers' rights are due to be introduced as part of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004, but the ICTU is disappointed they have not been published already and has prepared its own guidelines to assist employers.
"Employers have to introduce proper facilities as soon as possible," ICTU spokeswoman Ms Esther Lynch said. "Putting a chair in the ladies' toilets just isn't good enough."
Under the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act, new regulations governing rights in relation to breastfeeding will bring Ireland up to date with most western European countries, including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.
However, the Minister for Justice has yet to sign the Act to introduce the regulations and the ICTU believes this should not hold back employers from providing the facilities.
"We're very frustrated with the hold-up," said Ms Lynch. "The legislation has been passed by both Houses and all we're waiting on is for the Minister to provide recommendations for employers.
"We've published our own recommendations in line with that of other European nations, so in effect we've done all the work for him, and employers can follow these guidelines without waiting for the legal minimum.
"Many of the union officials we spoke to on the Continent were very surprised that Ireland has taken so long to bring the legislation up to this level."
The guidelines cover the amount of paid time off the ICTU believes a mother should be allowed to breastfeed, and the facilities required in the workplace (see table).
According to the Central Statistics Office, 40 per cent of women who are discharged from maternity care opt for breastfeeding.
The Department said the regulations were being prepared but it wasn't known when they would be ready.
ICTU recommendations for
facilities and paid breaks for breastfeeding mothers include:
Time off from work for breastfeeding without loss of pay
30-minute lactation break for each 3-3½-hour period
A reduction of the mother's working hours without loss of pay for the purpose of breastfeeding outside the workplace
Adequate time to allow mothers to travel to and from the facilities they will be using, in addition to the 30 minutes
A clean, hygienic and private area with lockable door in which women can express breast milk or breastfeed their baby
A secure dedicated refrigerator for storing breast milk