MTUC: End all discrimination against pregnant women

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general N. Gopal Kishnam has called for an end to all forms of discrimination against pregnant women employed in the private sector.
In a press statement released today, Gopal said such discrimination is in conflict with the rights of employees as stipulated in the Employment Act, Industrial Relations Act and the Federal Constitution.
"A study by the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) shows that there is discrimination against pregnant women in the private sector where women are being fired, have their promotions cancelled, are suspended, and have their probationary period extended," he said.
Gopal said MTUC has received complaints from several trade unions related to such matters which have been brought to the attention of the employers involved as well as the Human Resources Ministry.
"Such issues should not be happening in the era of globalisation as Malaysia moves towards becoming a high income nation
"Not to mention that the government is working hard to establish a flexible working system to encourage more women to join the workplace," he said.
Gopal said instead of discriminating against pregnant women in the workplace, employers should provide facilities to increase the percentage of women working in the private sector.
"If women are stopped from working at the beginning, it will affect the government's efforts to increase the percentage of women at decision-making levels in the long term and the country will lose quality and productive employees.
"Therefore, MTUC believes that a policy or law should be firmly enacted to prevent such issues and problems from happening.
Gopal added that MTUC is ready to assist employees facing workplace discrimination.