NSW prevents pregnant women being sacked

NSW has moved to get rid of a legal loophole which allowed employers to sack pregnant women.

NSW is moving to close a loophole which allows employers to sack a woman who knew she was pregnant when hired.

NSW is moving to close a loophole which allows employers to sack a woman who knew she was pregnant when hired. Source: Getty Images

NSW will close a loophole allowing employers to sack a woman who knew she was pregnant when hired.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the changes would make sure pregnant woman were not discriminated against.

"This is a great win for women in the workforce, it's a great win for families," she said on Sunday.

NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman and Minister for Women Tanya Davies announced the abolishment of two subsections in the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

The law had allowed employers to fire women who knew, or should have known, they were pregnant when they applied for a job.

"It's unacceptable and out of step with modern standards for a woman to be overlooked for a role because she's pregnant, or dismissed from a new position once it becomes apparent she's carrying a child," Mr Speakman said.

Ms Davies said the laws were archaic and denied women equal opportunities in the workforce.

The NSW government acknowledged Greens MP Dr Mehreen Faruqi who had been a fierce advocate for changing the laws.

The move brings NSW in line with other states and territories.


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Published 10 December 2017 1:02pm
Source: AAP


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