Job Protection
No Harmful Work
Employment of women is prohibited during six weeks following the delivery of child. (section 3 of West Pakistan Maternity Benefit Ordinance, 1958). There are gender neutral provisions in the laws to ensure safety of workers however none of these specifically mentions that pregnant and breast feeding women enjoy special protection and are not made to do any harmful work.
Protection from Dismissals
It is illegal for an employee to dismiss a female employee during the term of her maternity leave. An employer is also prohibited to terminate an employee 6 months prior to the date of delivery of a child in order to avoide payment of maternity benefit. (Section 7 of West Pakistan Maternity Benefit Ordinance, 1958)
Right to Return to Same Position
Employers are prohibited from dismissing, discharging or reducing, or otherwise punishing an employee during the period in which she is in receipt of maternity benefit (also includes sickness benefit, injury benefit or medical care). So, although it is not explicitly provided under the labour law, it can be implied from this provision that a female worker has the right to return to same job after availing her maternity leave. (Section 72 of The Provincial Employees Social Security Ordinance, 1965)
