North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood questioned the First Minister this week over what action his Government is taking to address pregnancy and maternity discrimination in work.
Mr Isherwood raised the matter in the Assembly Chamber yesterday during questions to Carwyn Jones on closing the pay gap between women and men.
He asked:
“What action or engagement is the Welsh Government taking following the new Equality and Human Rights Commission Report “Etimating the financial cost of pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination and disadvantage”, which found that UK businesses are losing nearly £280 million each year as a result of women being forced out of their jobs by pregnancy and maternity discrimination in work?”
In his response the First Minister stated:
“It’s a matter for the UK Government to deal with, given the fact that we’re talking here about employment rights, but, nevertheless, any loss of talent to any business is something to be regretted. That means, of course, ensuring that, where there is any discrimination on the basis of maternity leave, that is challenged and dealt with by the employment tribunals.”
Mr Isherwood added: “He failed to recognise that this only reaches employment tribunals when early intervention has failed and poor employment practices continue, or to acknowledge that his Government is responsible for both equality and ‘the provision of support and advice to assist the establishment, growth, modernisation or development of business’ in Wales.”