Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act
Relevant for sociology optional Paper- 2 & GS Mains Paper- 2
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 is an important piece of legislation passed by the Indian government to ensure that women employees are provided with adequate maternity benefits during pregnancy and childbirth. This Act amended the existing Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, which was aimed at providing maternity benefits to women working in establishments with more than 10 employees. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 expanded the scope of the original Act and made several significant changes to the benefits provided to women.
One of the most notable changes introduced by the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 was the increase in the duration of maternity leave. Previously, women were entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave, which was considered insufficient by many. The new Act increased the duration of maternity leave to 26 weeks, which is more in line with international standards. This increase in maternity leave duration is aimed at ensuring that women have enough time to recover from childbirth and take care of their newborns.
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 also introduced several other important changes to the benefits provided to women. For example, it introduced a provision for women to take an additional 12 weeks of maternity leave if they adopt a child below the age of three months. This provision was included to ensure that women who adopt a child are not discriminated against and are provided with the same maternity benefits as biological mothers.
Another significant change introduced by the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 was the provision for employers to provide crèche facilities to women employees. This provision is applicable to establishments with 50 or more employees and is aimed at ensuring that women are able to continue working after childbirth without having to worry about the care of their newborns. The Act also mandates that employers provide women with breaks for nursing their children during the workday.
In addition to these changes, the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 also made several other important amendments to the original Act. For example, it allowed women to work from home if their work permits it, and it prohibited employers from discriminating against women during recruitment or promotion based on their pregnancy or maternity leave. These changes were introduced to ensure that women are not penalized for taking maternity leave and are provided with equal opportunities to advance their careers.
Overall, the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 is an important piece of legislation that aims to provide women with adequate maternity benefits during pregnancy and childbirth. The Act makes several significant changes to the benefits provided to women, including increasing the duration of maternity leave, providing additional leave for women who adopt children, and mandating the provision of crèche facilities to women employees. These changes are aimed at ensuring that women are able to balance their work and family responsibilities and are not discriminated against for taking maternity leave.
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