The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) has imposed a financial penalty of Rs1.2 million on a private-sector organization for unlawfully terminating a female employee while she was on officially approved maternity leave. According to the findings, the complainant, who was employed in the accounting department, was informed of her termination via a telephone call during her maternity leave period.
The ruling was issued by Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar, who emphasized that such actions constitute detrimental treatment and fall within the ambit of gender-based discrimination and workplace harassment under applicable laws.The decision underscored that pregnancy, childbirth, maternity leave, and postnatal recovery represent distinct biological and social conditions that require legal protection and workplace accommodation for women.
FOSPAH further noted that depriving women of these protections undermines the principles of equality, dignity, and fair treatment in employment practices.In addition to the monetary penalty, the organization has been directed to implement comprehensive institutional reforms aimed at ensuring compliance with workplace protections and preventing recurrence of similar violations.
The ruling also instructed the employer to refrain from initiating any retaliatory measures against the complainant, thereby safeguarding her legal and professional rights.This decision reflects a continued regulatory emphasis on strengthening workplace safeguards for women and promoting compliance with gender-sensitive employment standards in Pakistan.
