The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has today (20 February 2012) issued legal proceedings under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance, Cap. 480 in the District Court on behalf of a shop manager of a beauty salon who alleged that she was discriminated against by her former employer on the ground of her pregnancy by demoting her and then dismissing her when she rejected the demotion.

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

Equal Opportunities Commission
20 February 2012