Q: Does Pregnancy Discrimination Violate International Human Rights and Labor Law?

Yes. Experts who interpret these laws agree that pregnancy discrimination is a form of sex discrimination. For example, the International Labor Office (ILO) Committee of Experts has interpreted the scope of Convention 111 on Discrimination in Respect of Employment to prohibit pregnancy discrimination as a form of sex discrimination.

The Mexican government has signed and agreed to abide by these international instruments:

• ILO Convention 111 on Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation prohibits pregnancy-based employment discrimination.
• The North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation under NAFTA obligates Mexico to promote the elimination of sex discrimination in the labor force.
• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits discrimination based on sex.
• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women expressly outlaws pregnancy-based employment discrimination.
• The American Convention on Human Rights prohibits discrimination based on sex