Employment Act, Chapter 55:01

The Employment Act of 1999 applies to the private sector and the Government (Section 2), and seeks to establish and enforce minimum standards of employment in order to ensure equity that is necessary for industrial peace and economic growth. Certain provisions of the Employment Act specify penalties associated with certain violations (Section 66), and establish that the Industrial Relations Court has jurisdiction to impose all such penalties and remedies specifically provided for (Section 3). The Employment Act contains broad anti-discrimination provisions that forbid discrimination and pay inequity against employees on the grounds of sex, marital status, or family responsibilities, among other traits, contravention of which can carry a fine up to K 10,000 and to up to two years’ imprisonment (Sections 5-6). The Employment Act establishes at least eight weeks of maternity leave every three years with all normal benefits and entitlements (Section 47), and contains provisions that protect a woman’s return to work under substantially same conditions post-pregnancy (Section 48) and against unlawful termination on grounds of pregnancy (Section 49).

Topics

• Employment discrimination
• Gender discrimination

Geographical location

• Africa
• Malawi

Keywords

• pregnancy discrimination

Year

• 1999

External URL

• Employment Act, Chapter 55:01

Type

• Legislation

Jurisdiction

• Malawi