Wrongfully fired during pregnancy
In this last six months, theAsianparent has received four complaints filed against employers for wrongful dismissal during pregnancy. Thus the latest Straits Times article, “Pregnant? You’re Fired”, published on 8th Nov 2009, confirming that more and more firms are firing pregnant women or denying them their full entitlements came as no surprise.
According to the article, in the first nine months of the year, there were 119 ‘pregnancy- related’ complaints lodged with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). In comparison, in 2007 the number was just 72.
About 75 percent of the complaints came from women employed by small medium enterprises. The increase of dismissal rates is largely due to the new regulations that has substantially increased maternity benefits and the tough economic times, shares an MOM spokesperson.
What you can do about it
If you have been wrongfully fired while pregnant, you should lodge a complaint with the Labour Relations and Welfare Division of the Ministry of Manpower.
If you have lost your job in the protection period as specified in the law (last six months of pregnancy), MOM will conduct an inquiry. If the company is found guilty of wrongful termination, they may be asked to compensate or reinstate you.
If you were dismissed outside the protection period, you can still complain to MOM, who will then conduct a conciliation meeting between employer and yourself to help solve the dispute.
You can contact MOM for more information at 6438 5122
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Thanks for this useful article.
I guess the increase of baby bonus came at the wrong time for employers.
The govt should be the one paying for the full four months. Not fair for employers.
That’s terrible.
How will singapore ever increase our birthrates with such myopic vision of employers.