Latinas mark the 35th anniversary of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act

Latina advocates commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which outlaws employer discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.
Jessica González-Rojas, executive director of National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, issued the following statement:
“Unfortunately, many women of color and immigrant women, including Latinas, are represented in low-wage jobs where pregnancy discrimination is rampant. For instance, nearly 2.7 million Latinas are employed in the service industry and might one day face pregnancy discrimination. Because employers refuse to give reasonable accommodations to pregnant Latina workers, many of these women will be forced to choose between continuing a healthy pregnancy or keeping their paycheck. Many Latinas in this situation would rather continue working to provide for their families. We ask that Congress pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to ensure that all working, pregnant women of color are treated fairly in the workplace and have the ability to achieve economic security for them and their families and to maintain their health.”
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The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health is the only national organization working on behalf of the reproductive health and justice of the 24 million Latinas, their families and communities in the United States through public education, community mobilization and policy advocacy.