The General Manager (HRM), Indian Bank, has been summoned by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) for failing to revoke the company’s discriminatory hiring policies. According to purported bank policies, if a female candidate is three months pregnant, she will be deemed “temporarily unfit” and will not be offered an immediate joining after being chosen. The Delhi women’s panel has taken unilateral notice of media claims that such rules have been developed. DCW Chief Swati Maliwal has also requested quick action in the case in a letter to the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT).
In response, the Indian Bank notified the commission that it had not recently implemented any new policies regarding the hiring of women candidates who were pregnant. Instead, they had elected to follow the Department of Personnel and Training’s current regulations (DoPT). However, the aforementioned GOI regulations from 1958, which classified a woman “temporarily unfit” if she was “discovered to be pregnant 12 weeks standing or over,” were updated by DoPT in 1985 to remove the provision that prohibited hiring a pregnant staff member.
In order to eliminate any “ambiguity on eligibility,” the Indian Bank has informed the Commission that they are modifying their “Fitness Format.” The updated version asks women about their current state of pregnancy as well as their family history of uterine, cervical, ovarian, or breast disorders. The panel claimed that the updated format “appears to also discriminate against women as it seeks data of diseases particular to women while making no mention of diseases specific to men.”
Also Read: 20-Year-Old Woman Gangraped, Shaved, Garlanded With Slippers, Paraded With Blackened Face. DCW Writes To Delhi Police To Take Action
DCW Chief Swati Maliwal has also requested quick involvement in the matter in a letter to DoPT, GOI. According to the Commission, many other banks and other agencies may be adhering to these antiquated regulations that were published more than 35 years ago. The Commission has advised DoPT to look into the situation as soon as possible and give an urgent explanation to all departments and banks requesting that they not place any limitations on pregnant women enrolling.
Also Read: Indian Bank Denies Having Hiring Policy Against Pregnant Women, Says “Not Engaged In Gender-Discriminatory Practices”
Sources say that in order to stop additional discrimination against women, the Commission has also requested that the agency update its policies in accordance with the “Code on Social Security, 2022.” It is quite regrettable that Indian Bank has not reversed its sexist policies. Instead, a new fitness certificate that also seems discriminatory has been created. SBI promptly withdrew its misogynist policies after receiving a notice from the commission in a similar situation, according to DCW head Swati Maliwal. Maliwal said that they have summoned representatives of the Indian Bank and requested action so that they may report on the situation. She said that DoPT should write urgent letters to banks and other departments pleading with them to drop any sexist policies they may have and that every pregnant woman has a right to maternity leave, which cannot be withheld under any circumstances.