Discrimination of pregnant workers and new mothers/fathers: Carolina’s story
[Brussels, 18 December 2012] When Carolina requested her papers for maternity leave, her company witheld her entitlements on the grounds that there was no guarantee yet that the baby she was carrying would be born alive. Ahead of its 2 Years Overdue Campaign on Maternity Leave, the EWL is gathering stories of discrimination at workplace suffered by pregnant workers and new mothers/fathers. The story of Carolina (not her real name), a polish worker in Cyprus, tells of routine discrimination which led her to question whether having a child was worth it in the end.
Discrimination of pregnant women or new parents is a relatively hidden, though extremely widespread phenomenon. The EWL wants to bring some of the realities of women and men in Europe to light and advocate for binding legislation to be approved at the European level to protect their rights. The new draft Directive on Maternity Leave has been blocked in the Council of the European Union for 2 years now.
Cariolina’s case is a clear example of unscrupulous harassment suffered by a pregnant worker in Cyprus. Read her full story here.
Send your story to brogna@womenlobby.org.
