Inadequate maternity protection in employment

Nature

Maternity protection is an increasingly important matter as more women, particularly married women and single mothers, are employed. In a strict sense, maternity protection includes the right to maternity leave, the right to benefits, and the right to job security during prescribed periods. In a broader sense, it also includes the right to on-premises nursing facilities and the subsequent necessary work breaks. Denial of these rights may jeopardize the health of both the mother and her child and add additional financial burdens to individual women and their families.

Incidence

Globally, millions of women lack adequate maternity protection in employment, with the International Labour Organization estimating that only 41% of mothers with newborns receive a statutory cash benefit. In many low- and middle-income countries, women face job insecurity, insufficient paid leave, and limited access to health care during and after pregnancy, exacerbating gender inequality and economic vulnerability. Informal sector workers are particularly affected, as they are often excluded from legal protections and social security schemes.
In 2022, garment workers in Bangladesh protested unsafe working conditions and the absence of paid maternity leave, highlighting persistent gaps in enforcement of existing labour laws.

Claim

Inadequate maternity protection in employment is a critical and unacceptable problem. Denying women proper leave, job security, and support during and after pregnancy not only endangers their health and well-being but also perpetuates gender inequality in the workplace. This failure undermines families, damages children’s futures, and weakens economies. Immediate action is essential to ensure all working mothers receive the protection and respect they deserve. Anything less is a grave injustice.