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20
June 2005
‘Increase
in number of pregnancy-related cases highlights need for tighter monitoring
structures – Green Party'
The
Green Party has described as extremely worrying the figures contained in the
Equality Tribunal's Annual Report, published today.
The Tribunal reported a 28 per cent increase in the number of cases it
decided on in 2004. While there
have been significant increases in the number of cases of alleged discrimination
on the grounds of age and race, the report noted that the majority of employment
equality cases were taken on grounds of gender discrimination.
Responding
to the launch of the Annual Report today, Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán
Cuffe TD today stated:
"The
fact that gender remains the primary ground for referral of claims of
discrimination in the workplace is extremely worrying.
With a vast number of claims relating to discriminatory dismissal based
on gender and involving pregnancy it is starkly clear that tighter monitoring is
needed in this area.
"With
the introduction and implementation of a raft of employment equality legislation
over the past 30 years in Ireland, it is entirely unacceptable that such
discrimination should continue to be practised.
"It
is crucial that Minister McDowell sends out a strong message that firing
pregnant women is illegal, and that he reassert his Department's commitment to
the 'elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equal
opportunities'.
Mr
Cuffe praised the invaluable work being carried out by the Director for Equality
Investigations and her team.
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