The proposed amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 — which has been tabled today in the Parliament has been passed. It is a result of hard work of the Ministry of Women and Child Development headed by Maneka Gandhi.

The bill mandates six month’s maternity leave compulsory for all offices in the public and private sector to give six months. This is a positive step for women to participate and continue in the workforce. Women in India represent only 24% of the paid labour force, as against the global average of 40%, as per a recent McKinsey Global Institute report. It also makes it mandatory for establishments with at least 30 women or 50 employees, whichever is less, to provide crèche facilities either in office or within a 500 meter radius. This is to provide essential “maternal care to the child during early childhood which is crucial for growth and development of the child”. It encourages employers to permit women employees to work from home for some time after child birth.

The Union Cabinet and the Parliament have approved the amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 by introducing the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Parliament. India will now be among the select 40 countries in the world where maternity leave is over 18 weeks.

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