Protecting moms-to-be from ‘workplace discrimination’

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Employers will no longer have the option to fire pregnant employees or those on maternity leave if a proposed law submitted by MP Hanan Fardan is approved.

In the drafted explanatory memorandum, Fardan highlighted a concerning trend of companies dismissing employees upon learning of their pregnancy or shortly after childbirth.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, she stated: “This practice is often used to avoid obligations related to healthcare access and breastfeeding breaks, sending a subtle yet powerful message that pregnancy is unwelcome in the workplace.”

The proposed amendment to the Civil Labour Law explicitly forbids the dismissal or threat of dismissal of a female employee during pregnancy or maternity leave.

This protection extends to periods of illness related to pregnancy or childbirth, provided the illness is verified by a certified medical certificate and the employee’s absence does not exceed 180 days in a year. She further underscored the importance of strengthening the rights of working women, adding: “Pregnancy and childbirth are critical periods requiring specialised healthcare, and dismissal during this time can jeopardise both the mother’s and the child’s health, negatively impacting family stability – the cornerstone of society.”

The memorandum also notes the potential for severe psychological consequences, including depression and frustration, resulting from job loss during pregnancy or maternity leave.

Issue The proposed legislation aims to address this issue directly, providing crucial legal protection for working mothers and fostering a more supportive and inclusive work environment in Bahrain.

The draft law will be evaluated and discussed by the Council of Representatives in the coming weeks.