Political adviser Shen Kaiyan has called for enhanced protection of pregnant women and working parents amid the epidemic.

According to a survey by Shanghai Women’s Federation, the resumption of the work has imposed great challenges to pregnant women and new mothers who are vulnerable to the virus, however it’s not mandatory for their employers to implement flexible work schedules.

Besides, schools across the city remain closed indefinitely, while babysitters and nannies, mostly migrant workers, remain in their hometowns. Many working parents, especially new Shanghainese whose parents are from key infected areas, have no one to take care of their children.

Shen, director of the economics institution at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, has called for enhanced protection.

She suggests that authorities release policies to urge employers to allow pregnant women and nursing mothers to choose flexible working times, or work at home until the epidemic ends.