SBI’s new rule of declaring pregnant women over 3 months unfit to apply withdrawn after criticism

Jan. 29: State Bank of India’s (SBI’s) latest medical guidelines published on December 31 stated: “…If pregnancy is of more than three months, she will be considered temporarily unfit and she may be allowed to join within four months after delivery of child.” The Delhi Commission for Women has taken suo-moto cognizance of the  controversial circular issued by the State Bank of India (SBI) and stated that the said the action of the bank appears to be discriminatory and illegal as it is contrary to the maternity benefits provided under the ‘Code of Social Security, 2020.’

SBI later withdrew the guidelines for pregnant women. SBI this evening tweeted it has withdrawn the guidelines for pregnant women. “Revised instructions about recruitment of pregnant women candidates stands withdrawn,” SBI said.

State Bank of India seems to have issued guidelines preventing women who are over 3 months pregnant from joining service & have termed them as ‘temporarily unfit’. This is both discriminatory and illegal. We have issued a Notice to them seeking withdrawal of this anti women rule. pic.twitter.com/mUtpoCHCWq

— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) January 29, 2022

Earlier, women candidates up to six-month pregnant were allowed to join SBI under some conditions, including getting a certificate from a gynaecologist that her taking up employment at that stage would not affect her health. In the past, SBI had issued similar rules for pregnant women but the rules were withdrawn following widespread protests.

Press release relating to news items about required fitness standards for recruitment in Bank. Revised instructions about recruitment of Pregnant Women candidates stands withdrawn.@DFS_India pic.twitter.com/QXqn3XSzKF

— State Bank of India (@TheOfficialSBI) January 29, 2022