EXPERIENCES IN DEVELOPING LEGISLATION PROTECTING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

The law regarding special maternity have for pregnant women in hazardo us work situations has been in effect since 1981 in Denmark. In Finlan d, legislation regarding the protection of the reproductive health of working men and women and of pregnant women has been in effect since 1 991. According to the special maternity leave law, women who are expos ed to certain chemical, physical, or biological agents that are consid ered to be harmful to the fetus may be entitled to special maternity l eave and benefits. In Denmark and in Finland, approximately 1% and 0.1 %, respectively, of pregnant women have used the special maternity lea ve due to a risky work situation. In Finland, the yearly costs of the leave have been US $200,000 to $250,000. Trained occupational physicia ns can facilitate changes at the workplace that will decrease the need for special maternity leave.