SBI Withdraws Controversial Circular For Pregnant Women Employees
The biggest Public Sector Lender withdraws from its stand after intervention of Delhi Commission for Women
State Bank of India (SBI) on today withdrew the controversial circular that barred women candidates who are pregnant above three months from taking up jobs in the bank. In view of the public sentiments, SBI has decided to keep the revised instructions regarding recruitment of pregnant women candidates in abeyance and continue with the existing instructions in the matter, the bank said in a statement.
The move came after Delhi Commission for women intervened in the matter and asked the bank explain its action.
Earlier, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chief Swati Maliwal had shot a letter to the top brass of the State Bank of India for a recent circular issued by the bank on December 31 prevents women who are more than three-month pregnant from joining service, despite having been selected through due process.
The Delhi Commission for Women has taken suo-molo cognizance on media reports of framing of new guidelines by the Stale Bank of India for new recruitments and promotions. As per media reports, a recent circular issued by the bank on December 31 prevents women who are more than three-month pregnant from joining service, despite having been selected through due process.
The circular states that she will be “considered temporarily unlit and she may be allowed tojoin within four months after delivery of chiId. This is a very serious matter. This action of the bank appears to be discriminatory and illegal as it ‘s contrary to the Maternity Benefits provided under ‘The Code of Social Security. 2020. Further, it discriminates on the basis of sex which is against the fundamental rights provided under the Constitution of India.
In view of the above, please provide the following infomiation lo the Commission :
- Please provide a copy of the said rules/guidelines issued by the Bank.
- Please provide a copy of similar rules/guidelines operational before issuing the new rules.
- Steps taken by the Bank to ensure that the said guidelinesare non discriminatory to women and to amend/ withdraw the said rules/guidelines.
- Detailed process throug h which these guidelines were formed along with the names and designations of the approval authority.
- Detailed action taken report in the mailer.
Please provide the sought information to the Commission latest by 01.02.2022.
