Protection covers pregnant contract workers

• TODAY (15 Mar 2011) : Protection covers pregnant contract workers
• TODAY (03 Mar 2011) : What about pregnant workers on contract terms?

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  Protection covers pregnant contract workers 
  - TODAY, 15 March 2011
  
  We refer to the letter by Ms Christina Leung ("What about pregnant workers on contract terms?", 3 March 2011).
  
  2.   The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) would like to clarify that it is not just pregnant employees on permanent employment who are protected under the Employment Act against unfair dismissals during their pregnancies. Those on contract, temporary and part-time employment receive the same protection under the law. If it is found to be a case of unfair dismissal, the employer may be ordered to reinstate the employee, or to compensate her. In addition, maternity leave benefits would have to be paid if the unfair dismissal occurred during the last six months of pregnancy.
  
  3.   We have contacted Ms Leung with regard to the case of her former colleague and found that the incident took place 3 years ago. We were not able to contact Ms Leung's former colleague to determine whether her contract was not renewed due to her pregnancy or for other reasons. Employees on term contracts who feel that their contracts were deliberately not renewed in an attempt to deny them of their maternity leave benefits are advised to contact the Ministry directly for assistance. They should do so as early as possible so that we are in a better position to help. They can email mom_lrwd@mom.gov.sg or call the MOM hotline at 6438 5122, so that their case can be properly investigated.
  

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  What about pregnant workers on contract terms?
  - TODAY, 03 March 2011.
  
  Thankfully, there is an Employment Act to safeguard workers from unfair dismissal during their pregnancy. However, only pregnant workers on permanent employment can enjoy such privileges.
  
  I had a former colleague who was on a renewable yearly contract but was unable to secure renewal because her baby was due and she would be going on maternity leave. The amount of stress given to her was unimaginable. Her baby had not even been born and she was already out of job.
  
  Her only chance of looking for a new job would be some months after giving birth. That situation really stressed her out and she nearly went into depression. Fortunately, friends and family helped her through the difficult times.
  
  The employer called her after she had her baby to ask if she wanted back the job. However, it would still be on a yearly contract basis. She rejected the offer because of the bad experience and decided to look for a new job.