Maternity Leave in India: Laws, Importance & Benefits
The government has introduced a new incentive scheme that aims to promote maternity benefits to women employees. Under this scheme, entities that provide a minimum of 26 weeks of maternity benefits to their female employees, as stated in the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, will receive a reimbursement of 07 weeks wages. This scheme is designed to support and encourage organizations to provide better maternity benefits to their female employees, recognizing the importance of women in the workforce and their contribution to the economy.
To enable an entity to avail of the incentive, the women employees working in their entity should be a wage earner of less than Rs.15,000/- per month and a member of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for at least one year and not covered by Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
The proposed scheme is intended to be administered through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, which would oversee the implementation process. However, before the scheme can be put into action, the competent authority must grant approval. Once approved, the scheme will provide much-needed benefits to employees, and ensure that their retirement savings are secured for the future.
Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment, provided this information in written form as a response to a question asked in Rajya Sabha today. His written reply was a clear and concise statement regarding the topic at hand, and it offered valuable insights into the matter. The fact that the Minister of State was actively engaging with the public and providing updates shows the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Source: PIB
What are maternity benefits for women employees?
Maternity benefits are a specific set of benefits provided to women employees during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery.
What are some examples of maternity benefits?
Maternity benefits may include paid time off for prenatal doctor’s appointments, paid time off for childbirth and recovery, and access to lactation facilities and services.
Do all companies offer maternity benefits?
No, not all companies offer maternity benefits. It is important to review your company’s policy and benefits package to understand if and what maternity benefits are offered.
How long do maternity benefits last?
The duration of maternity benefits can vary depending on the specific benefit and company policy. Typically, maternity leave can range from a few weeks to several months.
Can expectant mothers take additional unpaid leave beyond maternity benefits?
Yes, an employee may choose to take additional unpaid leave beyond their allotted maternity benefits. This is typically called “parental leave” or “family leave.”
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