Pregnancy discrimination at work
Deputy Howlin highlighted WRC cases involving women sacked or discriminated against because they were pregnant and asked whether the law would be changed to protect workers better. The Minister said the WRC operates independently but that she would consider any proposals it brought forward.
At the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that 22 cases of pregnant women being sacked or discriminated against by employers heard before the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, so far this year. Those 22 cases are only the ones that have made it to the WRC. In one case, the adjudicating officer of the WRC expressed frustration at not being able to award a substantial sum to the woman who was sacked after management simply found out she was pregnant. Does the Government plan to change the law to address this concern and ensure that women are protected in the workplace and where there is such obvious discrimination that there is adequate compensation?
