employers respect existing human rights legislation, Community Affairs Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons said yesterday.

The Human Rights Act not only protects women from discrimination for being pregnant or having young children, but also extends entitlement to maternity leave pay.

"The solution to discrimination is in the Act,'' the Minister emphasised yesterday.

"It's in people being aware of provisions in the Act and respecting it. The big problem is that not enough people are aware of the Act.'' In 1991, 10 allegations of pregnancy discrimination were registered with the Human Rights Commission. Mr. Gibbons said six were substantiated and resolved "to the satisfaction of both parties and one was withdrawn. Three were dismissed as being without merit.'' The Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination against women "because she has or is likely to have a child.'' In addition, employers are prohibited from dismissing or refusing to employ or continue to employ any woman because of her pregnancy; and they must not provide any special terms or conditions when a woman returns to work.

The Minister made the statement yesterday following a report of a speech at a forum last week which said there was currently no legislation dealing with maternity leave.