‘Bank norm on appointment discriminates against women’

Is being pregnant a disqualification for getting a job? The answer is in the affirmative, going by a new stipulation of the public sector Canara Bank, for its appointments.

The medical fitness certificate sought from candidates, prior to issuing the appointment order, is to be made in a format provided by the bank.

The format of the certificate has a column for women candidates which says “pregnancy is a bar on immediate appointment.

Only after three months of delivery, a fresh medical examination should be undertaken”.

The medical fitness certificate is to be obtained from an assistant civil surgeon or a civil surgeon/ chief medical officer from a government hospital.

Menstrual history, history of diseases of uterus, cervix, ovaries, and breasts are also to be recorded in the medical report.

A candidate has to undergo medical examination for almost all sort of employment. But the condition regarding pregnancy being imposed by Canara Bank is discriminatory, according to the Canara Bank Staff Union.

The reference to personal medical history questions the privacy of women, says the union.

The union called upon bank authorities to withdraw the new format.