It is all a misinterpretation, says MediaCorp, responding to the hoo-ha stirred up by Caldecott Hill Queen Zoe Tay who says she is now jobless because her contract has been suspended due to her pregnancy.
In an interview with Citta Bella Magazine, Ms Tay, 39, who is seven months pregnant with her second child, was quoted as saying: "Now we have a new policy, which is, pregnant artistes will have their contracts suspended temporarily. So, during this period, I'm not drawing pay."
In response, Mr Andrew Cheng, MediaCorp Studios' senior vice-president of production resources and artiste management, said clarified that "there is no termination or suspension of contracts for artistes who are pregnant."
"The 12-week full pay, similar to permanent staff on maternity leave, would usually still be paid to pregnant artistes with no obligation or extra commitment," he said in a statement.
In a Straits Times Life! report, Ms Ivy Low, assistant vice-president at MediaCorp's artiste management division, also pointed out that the hoo-ha came about due to "misinterpretation from different parties."
She also clarified that job offers are still being fielded for Ms Tay. However, roles in drama serials that were unsuitable for pregnant mothers or appearances on variety shows that required physical activities, were turned down.
Zoe Tay with son Brayden
In the meantime, online forums are abuzz with MediaCorp's handling of Ms Tay's case.
Over in AsiaOne forum, several forumers criticised the broadcasting station for not supporting the government's pro-family policy.
One of them, RooIsland said: "Mediacorp's practices are not pro-family practices and divergent from calls from PAP to encourage women to have more kids."
Agreeing, loyaltosingapore, added: "Yes we indeed do have a problem with the mindset about babies."
Lamented aceofbase: "It's not a matter of whether the husband can support her or not....it is the cruel & realistic world that make woman don't want to have children!"
Others like senior AsiaOne forum member old_dilbert, were calmer in their postings. He said: "Zoe Tay will be back to work soon. No need to get so worked up."
For fans, the earliest you can see Zoe Tay return to the small screen could be in late December, when she is slated to appear in variety shows, after her three-month maternity leave.
