While women, in general, have hailed an increase in the paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, small and medium-sized companies are not so happy about it.
The passage of the Maternity Benefits (Amendment Bill) in the Lok Sabha sparked a lot of reaction from people across sections. The most talked about provision of this Act is the raising of the period of paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, placing India among the countries with the highest maternity benefits in the world. The Maternity Benefit Act protects the employment of women during the time of her maternity and entitles her of full paid absence from work.
It is estimated that around 1.8 million women who work in the organised sector will benefit from this amendment.Maternity leave allows the mother to recuperate, bond with her child, provide the requisite care to him and breastfeed him for the recommended six months.
“Maternity leave is very important for the health of the new-born baby because it enables the working woman to exclusively breast-feed her child for six months after birth, which is also recommended by the World Health Organization.
This period also enables the working mother to recuperate herself before she returns to work as well as bond with the child,” says Maneka Gandhi, Union minister for Women and Child development.
The amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 will be applicable to all establishments employing 10 or more persons.
Various amendments in the Act
The number of Maternity leave is increased from 12 to 26 weeks for the birth of first two children. Third child onwards the leave period will be 12 weeks.
However, the benefit will not be provided before eight weeks from the date of expected delivery. Earlier it was six weeks before delivery.
In case of adoption of a child below the age of three months, the mother will be entitled to maternity benefit for a period of twelve weeks, starting from the day of adoption.
This story is from the April 30, 2017 edition of Tehelka.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 30, 2017 edition of Tehelka.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Why Did Ratan Tata Feel Compelled To Take Charge Again?
Did Cyrus Mistry fall victim to an ossified corporate culture or did he violate Tata Sons’ ethos and culture? MG BanGa tells the story so far.
Misguided Youths Or Trained Terrorists?
As part of a dangerous trend emerging across the world, homegrown ISIL sympathisers are willing and attempting to carry out deadly terror attacks without any comprehensive support system.
Indian Railways: Living In Dreams
Indian Railways is changing track, giving up its separate Budget and experimenting with surge pricing on three popular trains. That leaves the behemoth with no funds to replace ageing assets and encourage further investments.
Priyanka Gandhi Agreed To Play Bigger Role In UP
Further delay in decision making could be detrimental to the party’s goal to rejuvenate its prospects in the State Assembly elections.
Mission 2019: Banega Swachh India?
Two years ago, Modi kicked off a cleanliness drive in a spectacular way. Showing the contrast between world cities and Gurgaon, MG BANGA suggests ways in which the mission can be accomplished by 2019.
The Goodwill Enjoyed By Mehabooba Mufti Has Been Erased!
Mehbooba Mufti risks losing her popularity and irking her party ranks by using New Delhi’s rulebook to deal with the unrest in Kashmir.
Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?
New Delhi needs to be cautious as in Pakistan’s scheme of things, strategic ties with China can serve as a powerful weapon to deal with adversaries like India.
Panama Papers: Nawaz Sharif'S Troubles Escalate
After his name surfaced in the Panama paper leak following several other charges of money laundering filed against him, there is pressure on Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif to resign.
This Potus Will Make The World Go Bust
The man who believes global warming is a hoax and has a short attention span will now preside over the affairs not just of the United States but of the whole world. A daunting prospect.
Reel-Life Bohemians, Real-Life Hyprocrites
ADHM vs Palm Grove Heights: In cinematic life, two strangers Ranbir and Anushka meet in a pub in London and go on a kissing spree while in actual life back in India, a woman from Barcelona was evicted from her male friend’s home in Gurugram. Is cinema really a mirror of society?
