NTUC proposes review not removal of Maternity Benefit Requirement

NTUC proposes review not removal of Maternity Benefit Requirement

11 July 2006

The News Editor

TODAY

NTUC'S LETTER TO TODAY'S VOICES 

1.  
2. I refer to your report "So Mum can stay hired", dated 11 July 2006 by Ms Jasmine Yin.
3. I thank TODAY for highlighting the plight of pregnant employees who have been dismissed unfairly as I believe that this would help to generate greater awareness and help to create a more positive working environment for our pregnant employees.
4. However, I have one correction to make with regards to a point attributed to me. The National Trades Union Congress Women's Committee's has proposed to the Ministry of Manpower to review the current law which protects the maternity benefit of a woman who is unfairly dismissed only if she is at least six months pregnant, which to us is too late.
5. We did not suggest the removal of the current requirement that a woman must have worked at least 180 days with an employer before she is entitled to maternity benefit, as reported by Ms Yin.

Halimah Yacob (Mdm)
Assistant Secretary-General
National Trades Union Congress