Features of the act
The recently passed bill will amend the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
? It increases the paid maternity leave for pregnant women working in the organised sector from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.
? The 26 weeks of leave will be for the first two pregnancies.
? For the third child, it will be of 12 weeks and 6 weeks for the fourth.
? It allows 12 weeks of paid maternity leave to mothers who are adopting a child below the age of three months and also to commissioning mothers who opt for surrogacy.
? It mandates employers to allow a woman to work from home.
? Organisations which employ more than 30 women (or 50 people, whichever is less) will now have to provide a crèche.
? The mother is allowed to visit the crèche four times during the day.
Benefits
- Social security for working mothers.
- Giving benefit to adoptive mothers and as well as women who get children using embryo transfer signals India is a progressive step.
- In line with international practice.