2 -
maternity leave and entitlement to statutory holiday pay
during such leave. The Labour Advisory Board endorsed
these amendments and they were enacted in July 1984.
The legislation was reviewed again in 1983 and
1985, and the most recent review was completed at the end
of 1986. The main purpose of this last review was to
consider whether additional protection was necessary
against termination of employment during the early stages
of pregnancy and whether there should be provision for
earlier resumption of work after confinement, if the
employee herself so wishes. The Labour Department will
now consult the Labour Advisory Board on proposals in both
these areas.
Complaints about the operation of the
legislation account. for a very small proportion of the
complaints dealt with by the
Labour Department's Labour Labour
Relations Service. There were 129
complaints in 1986,
slightly fewer than in 1985, and less than 0.7 per cent of
the total. Analysis of these complaints shows no evidence
of exploitation of the legislation by employers to avoid
Most of the complaints arose from
liability.
misunderstanding of the provisions.
The Labour Department will continue to review
this legislation from time to time.