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.

Background

The global significance of inadequate maternity protection in employment emerged in the early 20th century, as industrialization drew increasing numbers of women into the workforce. International concern intensified following the adoption of the first ILO Maternity Protection Convention in 1919, highlighting widespread gaps in leave, job security, and health safeguards. Despite subsequent conventions and advocacy, persistent disparities and insufficient enforcement have kept the issue prominent in international labour rights discourse.

Incidence

Inadequate maternity protection in employment remains a pervasive issue, affecting millions of women globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. According to the International Labour Organization, as of 2023, only 41% of women worldwide are legally entitled to paid maternity leave, and many face job insecurity, wage loss, or discrimination upon pregnancy or return to work. Informal sector workers are especially vulnerable, often lacking any form of maternity protection.
In 2022, garment factory workers in Bangladesh reported widespread denial of paid maternity leave, with many women dismissed upon announcing their pregnancies. Investigations by Human Rights Watch documented these violations, highlighting systemic non-compliance with national labor 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 economies, and signals a blatant disregard for basic human rights. Immediate, comprehensive reforms are essential to ensure dignity, equality, and justice for all working mothers.

Counter-claim

The notion that inadequate maternity protection in employment is a significant problem is vastly overstated. Most workplaces already offer reasonable accommodations, and further regulation only burdens businesses unnecessarily. Women are fully capable of managing their careers and family planning without excessive intervention. Prioritizing this issue distracts from more pressing economic and social challenges. In reality, the current level of maternity protection is sufficient, and calls for more are simply not justified.