Elders clear Bill allowing 6-month maternity leave

New law applicable to establishments employing more than 10 persons
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, which was cleared by the Cabinet on Wednesday, got passed in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The Bill provides for 26 weeks maternity leave in India, an increase from present 12 weeks The law will be applicable to all establishments employing 10 or more persons..

Most of the members supported the Bill. The members also demanded that surrogate mothers should get similar treatment in the Bill. Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said the matter would be looked into. According to Dattatreya, the benefit is applicable for two surviving children. He said 1.8 million women workers in the organised sector will get the benefit of the amendment.

“The very purpose of this Bill is to increase the participation of women in the workforce, which is decreasing day by day,” Dattatreya said. He said at the moment, only Canada (50 weeks) and Norway (44 weeks) offer more numbers of days than India.

Intervening in the debate, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said the Bill has its roots in malnutrition, as breastfeeding the child is recommended, which is not possible unless the mother is in physical proximity of the child.

Members also demanded that paternity leave should also be established, as parenting should be considered as an equal responsibility of father and mother.

Welcoming the passage of the Bill, Sonal Arora, Vice President, Teamlease Servcies, said: “The step of extending the maternity benefit to a period of 26 weeks was long due,” adding that “more than 25 per cent of Indian women in the private sector opt out of their career after child birth.”

This article was published in Hindu Business Line

Author

TeamLease Services Ltd

Latest Blogs

Staffing Process: Definition, Key Steps, and Its Importance

Having the right talent in the right roles is crucial for business success. The staffing process plays a vital role in ensuring that organisations attract,...

Read More

What are the benefits of HR outsourcing services?

As the world of work evolves at lightning speed, one thing has become clear: agility and efficiency are no longer just nice-to-haves; they're essential for...

Read More

The Hidden Costs of Employee Attrition and How to Address Them

Every fiscal year, as businesses grow and evolve, employees naturally seek opportunities for advancement, whether through increased responsibilities, new titles, or career progression. How organisations...

Read More

No Women Left Behind: Why Female Workforce Participation in India Must Rise

The biggest challenges holding women back The report talks about the 19 key persistent challenges that hold women back. Here are the top 10: Socio-Cultural...

Read More

5 Benefits of Working with a Contingent Staffing Partner

Today's fast-paced job market demands flexibility, productivity, and the appropriate skill sets at the proper time for organisations. Temp staffing partners fill this gap by...

Read More
Business Enquiry