31 October 2017
* Lucas describes current situation as ‘absolutely shocking’
Caroline Lucas, the co-leader of the Green Party, will today speak at a ‘March of the Mummies’ demonstration against maternity discrimination [1]. Lucas, who tabled a parliamentary motion[2] on the issue earlier this year, is calling on the on the Government to increase the time limit for pregnancy and maternity discrimination.
Government research shows that 54,000 women per year are forced out of work by pregnancy or maternity discrimination [3] – and that three out of four working mothers endure negative or discriminatory treatment at work.
Current rules state that women must claim for discrimination within three months – contributing to a situation where fewer than one per cent of the women affected by pregnancy or maternity discrimination bring an employment tribunal claim. [4]
Caroline Lucas, the Green Party co-leader, said:
“It’s absolutely shocking that so many women are forced out of work by pregnancy and maternity discrimination - and there’s simply no excuse for this injustice continuing.
“The current rules clearly aren’t working and it’s appalling that only 1% of women affected by this discrimination are able bring an employment tribunal claim. This discrimination can affect all pregnant women and new mothers in work - from teachers, to social workers and employees at big firms - and it must be stopped.
"There’s an enormous appetite for changing this legislation – and I’m pleased to be speaking at this rally today and pushing the Government to act immediately.”
[1] https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/uk/march-mummies-cities-can-march-maternity-discrimination/
[2] EDM PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION AND EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL TIME LIMIT
That this House notes the key findings of research funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and undertaken by the Equality and Human Rights Commission that some 54,000 women per year are forced out of work by pregnancy or maternity discrimination, and that three out of four working mothers endure negative or discriminatory treatment at work; further notes that four out of five women who responded to a recent survey by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance experienced at least one episode of a mental health problem during or after their pregnancy; is concerned that, due to a lack of free legal advice, the prohibitive cost of employment tribunal fees and a restrictive time limit of three months, fewer than one per cent of the women affected by pregnancy or maternity discrimination bring an employment tribunal claim; welcomes the clear recommendations by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and both the Justice Committee and Women and Equalities Committee that the time limit for pregnancy and maternity discrimination claims be increased to six months; and calls on the Government to demonstrate its very welcome commitment to tackling such unlawful discrimination by acting on this recommendation at the earliest possible opportunity.
[3,4] http://pregnantthenscrewed.com/about-maternity-discrimination/
Caroline Lucas leads ‘March of the Mummies’ demonstration against maternity discrimination
- Lucas describes current situation as ‘absolutely shocking’
Caroline Lucas, the co-leader of the Green Party, will today speak at a ‘March of the Mummies’ demonstration against maternity discrimination [1]. Lucas, who tabled a parliamentary motion[2] on the issue earlier this year, is calling on the on the Government to increase the time limit for pregnancy and maternity discrimination.
Government research shows that 54,000 women per year are forced out of work by pregnancy or maternity discrimination [3] – and that three out of four working mothers endure negative or discriminatory treatment at work.
Current rules state that women must claim for discrimination within three months – contributing to a situation where fewer than one per cent of the women affected by pregnancy or maternity discrimination bring an employment tribunal claim. [4]
The March of the Mummies will start on the North Terrace, Trafalgar Square (just outside the National Gallery) at 12 midday on Tuesday 31st October. There will be face painting and dressing up from 11.30am.
Caroline Lucas, the Green Party co-leader, said:
“It’s absolutely shocking that so many women are forced out of work by pregnancy and maternity discrimination - and there’s simply no excuse for this injustice continuing.
“The current rules clearly aren’t working and it’s appalling that only 1% of women affected by this discrimination are able bring an employment tribunal claim. This discrimination can affect all pregnant women and new mothers in work - from teachers, to social workers and employees at big firms - and it must be stopped.
"There’s an enormous appetite for changing this legislation – and I’m pleased to be speaking at this rally today and pushing the Government to act immediately.”
ENDS
Contact: Matthew Butcher on 07885 459 904 or clucasmedia@parliament.uk
[2] EDM PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION AND EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL TIME LIMIT
That this House notes the key findings of research funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and undertaken by the Equality and Human Rights Commission that some 54,000 women per year are forced out of work by pregnancy or maternity discrimination, and that three out of four working mothers endure negative or discriminatory treatment at work; further notes that four out of five women who responded to a recent survey by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Maternal Mental Health Alliance experienced at least one episode of a mental health problem during or after their pregnancy; is concerned that, due to a lack of free legal advice, the prohibitive cost of employment tribunal fees and a restrictive time limit of three months, fewer than one per cent of the women affected by pregnancy or maternity discrimination bring an employment tribunal claim; welcomes the clear recommendations by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and both the Justice Committee and Women and Equalities Committee that the time limit for pregnancy and maternity discrimination claims be increased to six months; and calls on the Government to demonstrate its very welcome commitment to tackling such unlawful discrimination by acting on this recommendation at the earliest possible opportunity.