Working on last Sunday's special report on how pregnant women were getting fired by SMEs, it's not difficult to see which side most people would be on.

Many were still wounded by the experience - never mind that their babies are now three years old. One got so upset after recounting her story to me, it triggered a nervous breakdown.

After the report was published, two women emailed in to say they were fired while pregnant and needed help.

One, fired just last week, is seven months pregnant. She tried seeking help from the Manpower Ministry but couldn't find a helpline that catered to maternity-related complaints or information on compensation. With a baby due in two months or less, it's no wonder she's desperate for help to pay her maternity bills, among other financial payments.

Over 50 comments were posted about the special report - many sympathising with the plight of the pregnant. One reader said that the situation is a sad reflection of Singapore's employers and employees who feel that long work hours is the sole measure of productivity and commitment.

But not everyone was quite so sanguine.

One reader said his uncle, who runs a renovation business, “went into fits” for having to pay maternity benefits. “He can't even afford to give his wife half of such privileges, why should he be a Santa Claus to somebody else’s wife?” he asked.

Perhaps his uncle - and he - need to be reminded that that particular "somebody else's wife" had once helped his company survive.