In a major relief to working women, the government is all set to increase maternity leave to six-and-a-half months.
In a major relief to working women, the government is all set to increase maternity leave to six-and-a-half months. The amendment to the Mater-nity Benefit Act, 1961, that entitles women to 12 weeks of maternity benefit as of now will be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The proposal was pushed by women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi, who took up the matter with the labour ministry last year to increase the maternity leave to eight months. However, the labour ministry finally agreed to six-and-a-half months. “We are happy that the labour ministry agreed to 26 weeks and the relevant labour laws will be amended by the bill on Tuesday,” said a senior official.
Ms Gandhi had proposed to increase the maternity leave with an intention of exclusive breast feeding th-at is required after the chil-dbirth and one month to enable the women to prepa-re the woman for delivery.
With this, India will join 42 countries where maternity leave exceeds 18 weeks. The International Labour Organisation recommends a minimum standard maternity leave of 14 weeks.
