The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has today (26 November 2015) issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 480) in the District Court on behalf of a woman (the Claimant) who previously worked for a company (the Respondent) as a beautician. The Claimant alleged that she was discriminated against by the Respondent on the ground of her pregnancy by dismissing her shortly after she had informed the Respondent about her pregnancy.

Pregnancy discrimination in employment is unlawful. However, the EOC finds that working pregnant women still face rampant discrimination. By taking this case to court, the EOC hopes to raise public awareness of the rights of pregnant women under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, and to remind employers that it is illegal to take adverse action against an employee because of her pregnancy.

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Equal Opportunities Commission
26 November 2015