Maternity Leave Extended From 12 To 26 Weeks
New Delhi: In a historic move, maternity leave for women has been increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks benefiting 1.8 million women in the organized sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the passage of the Maternity Benefit Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Passage of the Maternity Benefit Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha is a landmark moment in our efforts towards women-led development. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 10, 2017
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016, which was passed by the Rajya Sabha in August last year during monsoon session.
As per the amendment, maternity leave is applicable to 26 weeks for the first two children, and beyond two children it would be 12 weeks.
Notably, mothers adopting a child below the age of three months as well as the "commissioning mothers" can avail maternity leave of 12 weeks.
Employers will have to allow women staff to go to the creche four times, which will also include her rest period.
Historic day for women as extension of Maternity Leave from existing 12 weeks to 26 weeks gets approved by Lok Sabha. #MaternityBill — Ministry of WCD (@MinistryWCD) March 9, 2017 Maternity leave up to 12 weeks for commissioning mothers & women who adopt a child below the age of 3 months. #MaternityBill — Ministry of WCD (@MinistryWCD) March 9, 2017
