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The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

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17 views2 pages

The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

Uploaded by

Mansi sharma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is an important legislation in India aimed at protecting the
employment of women during maternity and providing them with benefits during the period of
childbirth and care for their newborn.

Salient features of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961:

1. Applicability: The Act applies to all establishments employing ten or more persons and
includes factories, mines, plantations, shops, and other entities specified by the
government.

2. Duration of Maternity Leave: The Act initially provided for 12 weeks of maternity leave,
which was later increased to 26 weeks as per the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act,
2017. This extended leave is available for up to two surviving children.

3. Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Benefits: The Act includes provisions for payment of maternity
benefits, covering the period before and after childbirth, ensuring the health and well-
being of the mother and child.

4. Other Benefits: It also includes provisions for medical bonus, leave for miscarriage, and
certain other related benefits.

5. Nursing Breaks: The Act mandates that every woman should be provided with two
breaks in the course of her daily work for nursing her child, until the child attains the age
of fifteen months.

Amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961:

1. Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017: The key amendment increased the duration
of maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks. This amendment also allowed women
who adopt children below the age of three months to avail of maternity leave.

2. Crèche Facilities: The amendment made it mandatory for establishments with 50 or


more employees to provide crèche facilities, allowing mothers to visit the crèche four
times during the day.
Importance of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961:

1. Women Empowerment: The Act promotes the employment of women by ensuring their
right to maternity leave and benefits, thereby supporting their participation in the
workforce.

2. Health and Well-being: It prioritizes the health and well-being of mothers and newborns
by providing them with the necessary time and resources for recovery and care during
and after childbirth.

3. Legal Protection: It establishes legal provisions to safeguard the employment and rights
of women during their maternity period, preventing discrimination against them in the
workplace.

4. Social Equality: By ensuring maternity benefits, the Act contributes to gender equality in
the workforce, enabling women to balance their work and family responsibilities
effectively.

Overall, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 and its subsequent amendments play a significant role
in ensuring the well-being of women employees during maternity, facilitating their continued
employment, and contributing to a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

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