The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has today (23 November 2012) issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, Cap. 480 in the District Court, on behalf of a woman who alleged that she was discriminated against by her former employer on the ground of her pregnancy. The Plaintiff alleged that her former employer deliberately inserted a one-day break between her old and new contracts to avoid statutory maternity leave pay.

The EOC has granted legal assistance in this case because it raises an issue of general public importance as to whether a woman could claim pregnancy discrimination when the employer deliberately broke the continuity of her employment to avoid the statutory entitlement to maternity leave pay. By taking this case to court, the EOC hopes to raise public awareness on this unfair practice and to remind employers regarding protection against pregnancy discrimination under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance. 

____________________
For media enquiries, please contact Ms. Mariana LAW at 2106-2226.

Equal Opportunities Commission
23 November 2012