The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment (FOSPAH) has declared that firing a woman during her Maternity Leave amounts to gender discrimination. The ruling has been described as a landmark decision aimed at protecting women’s workplace rights in Pakistan.
According to the verdict, Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar fined a private company Rs1 million for terminating a female employee while she was on approved Maternity Leave. Of this amount, Rs800,000 will go to the complainant as compensation, while Rs200,000 must be deposited into the national treasury. The company has also been ordered to reinstate the employee to her position.
In her written statement, Viqar emphasized that “motherhood should never be treated as a hurdle in a woman’s career.” She noted that job protection during Maternity Leave is a basic right for all women under national and international labor laws.
Case details show that the woman was hired as an HR Manager on July 20, 2022. Her Maternity Leave was officially approved on March 8, 2024, covering the period from March 14 to June 14, 2024. However, while on leave, she received a termination notice on April 24, 2024, prompting her to file a complaint with FOSPAH.
The ombudsperson stressed that institutions must respect women’s legal and constitutional rights. She directed all workplaces to ensure safe, inclusive, and fair environments for female employees. Viqar also highlighted the importance of maternity protection, paid leave, and job security for working women.
This decision reinforces Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and labor justice. It serves as a reminder that no woman should face discrimination or job loss because of Maternity Leave or motherhood responsibilities.
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The ruling is expected to set a precedent for future cases, encouraging companies to follow fair employment practices and uphold women’s workplace rights.
