Bear a third child and you’re out of a job

New Straits Times - Bear a third child and you’re out of a job:

It doesn't take a nuclear scientist to show you the prove of this discrimination being imposed upon the fairer sex, however developed or being developed a country is.

There is a need to substantiate the requirement, if there is indeed a real need.

In the case of kindergarten teachers, it is not a welcome move!

When the teachers have to go for maternity leaves, get replacement techers to handle the job temporarily until she gets back. A system has to be put in place, a pool of subtitute teachers should be made available and commisioned as and when needed. It just take some management skills to juggle this.

On stewarding, MAS might have a reason to include it into their employment contract aggrement when hiring women. They might have their own reason for allowing only two pregnancies during service and also the need of requiring them to retire at 40. They are a private company and this differs them from teachers at education institution.

Women should avoid being a stewardess, since it is already a known policy of MAS to do the above. When MAS have difficulties employing women, they might change their stance.

Will it work? I doubt it, seriously. As I see it, there's a horde of screaming teens wanting to become one. It's a ticket for glamourous lifestyle, free travels and an opportunity to meet prospective rich husband in the process. It's the perks that keep women wanting to become dignified 'waiters in the sky'.

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NUTP, women’s groups irked by ministry ruling

By Koh Lay Chin

Bear a third child and you’re out of a job: This is the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s rule for female contract workers, who are mostly rural kindergarten teachers. In February, the ministry issued a circular to officers of its Community Development Department, or Kemas, setting a limit on how many times female contract workers can take paid maternity leave.

Most female Kemas officers work as kindergarten teachers and serve on contract. They start with three-year contracts, and after that are given two-year contracts up to age 56.

In the circular, the ministry said these officers were entitled to maternity leave for "two births only" for the entire duration of their contracts.

"Those who give birth beyond this limit will have their contracts terminated," it said, infuriating the National Union of the Teaching Profession and women’s organisations.

There are about 8,000 Kemas kindergarten teachers nationwide.

More than 80 per cent of Kemas teachers were female, said NUTP secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng.

She said today this was a shock ruling that was "totally unfair to women". "We wonder what sort of respect women will have with such a harsh ruling."

The Kemas teachers had complained about the matter at a recent meeting with the union.

Last week, the High Court ruled that national carrier Malaysia Airlines is entitled to fire air stewardesses who become pregnant, which is a term in older employment contracts.

The airline allows air stewardesses to have two children while in service, but requires them to retire at 40.

Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi set a target of having women in 30 per cent of decision-making posts in the Government.

National Council of Women’s Organisations deputy president Ramani John Gurusamy said it was "astonishing" that the Government was going against its policy of supporting women.

"It is shocking, coming at a time when the Government is reviewing laws that discriminate against women.

"It is shocking that we are going backwards with a ruling such as this," she said.

Meanwhile, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said this was the first time she had heard of such a ruling.

"I will get to the bottom of this and speak to the Minister (Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin) to find out what is happening," she said today.

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