Economic recession and atypical pneumonia known as severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS ) the mothers-to-be are facing increased hardship. The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions ( HKCTU ) during the months of March and April received an eighteen percent increases in complaints and inquiries concerning maternity discrimination. Some of cases were related to workers being unreasonably dismissed because of SARS. The International Labour Organization ( ILO ) has passed an amendment to the Maternity Protection Convention by changing maternity leave from 12 weeks to 14 weeks. But the legislation in Hong Kong still remains at 10 weeks, unchanged from 10 years ago. The HKCTU urges the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ( SAR ) government to change the legislation and to punish employers for discriminating pregnant women.

      On Mothers' Day 2003 the HKCTU held a press conference on the sidewalk of Mongkok district demanding for " Full Maternity Protection for Women ". " For the past 20 years the birth rates of Hong Kong have decreased rapidly, " said Cheung Lai-ha, chairperson of HKCTU's Women Affairs Committee, " in 1981 when each woman would give birth to an average of 1.93 babies, it had fallen to 0.927 baby in 2001. The low birth rate in Hong Kong is rated as number 10 in the world, just higher than Macau and some Eastern European countries. "

      The HKCTU drew up a questionnaire last November asking working women what were the criteria needed that they would have baby. Over 90% of the respondents consider stable employment as crucial. They are not willing to have babies because some are afraid of becoming unemployed or that their wages will be reduced. The survey reflected that women consider the financial situation and livelihood protection as a key factor in the decision to get pregnant. The present situation is that both mothers or mothers to be are facing multiple pressures and discrimination from the employers.

HKCTU proposes 14 weeks of Maternity Leave.

      The Equal Opportunity Commission ( EOC ) received 28 cases of discrimination against pregnancy in 1998 and it has increased almost 5 times to 140 cases in 2002. For the first 3 months of 2003, the EOC received 49 complaints which is 35% of the whole of last year. HKCTU received 182 complaints and inquiries concerning discrimination against pregnancy last year. This year from March to April, the HKCTU has received 18% more cases than before. Some of the unfair dismissals were related to SARS.

      " The anti-discrimination laws were implemented for many years, " Cheung Lai-ha said, " but the number of cases has not fallen but instead has increased. " She proposed the government to put heavy penalties on the employers. Also the government should review the present maternity protection ordinance which has resulted in a low birth rate. According to the revised ILO convention on maternity protection, maternity leave has been increased from 12 weeks to 14 weeks. The World Health Organization ( WHO ) further recommended that women rest for 16 weeks after giving birth. Today Hong Kong still stops at 10 weeks, what we had 10 years ago.

      The HKCTU proposes to change the present maternity leave from 10 weeks to 14 weeks. Maternity allowances should be 100% instead of 80% of the wages. The government and employers should share the responsibilities of maternity allowances, the setting up of paternity leave and to speed up the development of common childcare centers.