The Leadership Conference Celebrates the Enactment of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mattie Goldman, [email protected]

WASHINGTON – Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) went into effect:

“As we recommit ourselves to the right to an abortion and bodily autonomy one year after the dangerous Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, today we have something to celebrate! The civil rights community came together and fought hard to protect the health of pregnant workers. Today, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) goes into effect. This life-saving legislation cements critical protections for all pregnant and postpartum workers who might otherwise be forced to do work without accommodation that would endanger their pregnancy or be fired because they asked for them. No one should be forced to choose between their paycheck and their health, nor should anyone who is pregnant be pushed out of their job because of it. This bill recognizes that it should be easier, not harder, for pregnant and postpartum workers to access the simple accommodations they need — like a chair to sit on, designated areas to pump, time off to recover from childbirth, or a workspace free from toxic chemicals.

“The PWFA is a major victory for gender and racial justice. The new law addresses the disproportionate discrimination and pregnancy-related health complications that Black, Brown, and Native American workers currently face. It’s also a crucial step in closing the maternal health gap for Black pregnant and postpartum workers. The Black maternal mortality rate in the United States is more than three times higher than that of white pregnant women. That is unacceptable. Women of color deserve to be valued for their contributions in the workforce and protected as parents. Everyone, including Black pregnant people, need access to vital accommodations on the job to protect their health and the health of their babies.

“Advocates, parents, pregnant women, and working people across the country fought for years to pass PWFA into law. These protections will make a real difference to millions of pregnant workers and their families across our nation. We will continue to promote their safety and ensure all pregnant workers are treated fairly and with dignity at work. We will also continue the fight for the right of people to make decisions about their bodies, their identity, and their future and ensure they get the health care they deserve.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 250 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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