Suryansh Kumar, a 3rd-year law student from HNLU Raipur Chattisgarh India has written this article. It explains about Maternity Leave in India 2023
What does Maternity Leave mean?
Maternity leave refers to the period that a mother takes off from work for the birth or adoption of a child. It is intended to allow new mothers to recover from childbirth and bond with their newborn babies. The length of maternity leave varies by country and employer, but it is typically several weeks or months. Maternity leave is often paid, but this also depends on the country and the employer. In some cases, fathers or other caregivers may also be eligible for parental leave to care for the new child.
Status of Maternity Leave under Indian Laws
In India, the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 provides maternity leave and related benefits for women who are employed in certain establishments. Under this law, a woman is entitled to a period of 26 weeks of maternity leave, which can be taken before or after the birth of the child. However, for women who have already had two or more children, the maternity leave entitlement is 12 weeks.
The law also provides other benefits such as medical bonuses, nursing breaks, and work-from-home options. The employer is required to pay the employee full wages during the period of maternity leave. In addition, the law prohibits the employer from terminating the employment of a woman during this period.
In 2017, the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act was passed, which extended the duration of maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks. This amendment also introduced provisions for work-from-home options and leave for adopting mothers and commissioning mothers. Overall, the law in India provides significant maternity benefits for women who are employed in certain establishments.
Sections of the Maternity Benefit Act that deal with Maternity Benefits
The Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 and its subsequent amendments contain several sections related to maternity leaves in Indian law. Some of the key sections are:
- Section 5: This section provides for the duration of maternity leave, which is 26 weeks for women who have less than two surviving children. In addition, 12 weeks for women who have two or more surviving children.
- Section 6: This section requires the employer to pay the employee full wages during the period of maternity leave.
- Section 8: This section provides for the entitlement of a medical bonus to the woman who has availed maternity leave.
- Section 9: This section provides for the right of a woman to ask for nursing breaks to feed her child.
- Section 10: This section prohibits the employer from dismissing a woman during the period of her maternity leave.
- Section 11A: This section provides, the right of a woman to work from home if she can’t work at the workplace.
- Section 12: This section provides for leave for adopting mothers and commissioning mothers.
Overall, these sections of the law provide significant protection and benefits to women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Furthermore, they ensure that women are not discriminated against in the workplace because of their reproductive status.
Eligibility/Rules for Maternity Leave in India 2023
Adoptive Mothers
Adoptive mothers are eligible for 12 weeks of maternity leave from the day they adopt a baby who is younger than 3 months of age. This leave is provided to allow the mother to take care of the newly adopted child and bond with them.
Commissioning Mothers and Surrogate Mothers
Commissioning mothers are those who opt for the services of another woman to conceive a child on their behalf. Surrogate mothers are those who choose to bear a child on behalf of another woman. Both commissioning and surrogate mothers are eligible for the entire maternity leave salary along with pregnancy leave of up to 180 days or 26 weeks. This leave is given to allow the mother to take care of herself and the newborn child.
Tubectomy Cases
Tubectomy or tubal sterilization is a permanent method of contraception in women. Women who have undergone tubectomy surgery can take two weeks of leave from the date of their operation. This leave is given to allow the mother to recover from the surgery and take care of any post-operative complications.
Post-Pregnancy Health Complications
Women may face post-pregnancy health complications that can be life-threatening. In such cases, women can avail of a one-month benefit as per the maternity leave policy in India. This leave is given to allow the mother to recover from any post-pregnancy health complications.
Government Civil Employees
Female government civil employees are eligible for a paid leave of up to 180 days for their first two live-born children. This leave is given to allow the mother to take care of the newborn child and bond with them.
Private Sector Employees
Maternity leave rules can vary for private sector employees and should be checked with HR personnel. HR personnel is responsible for drafting and revising the company’s maternity leave policy. Pregnant employees should carefully read the policy documents to know about the maternity leave benefits they are eligible for.
Changes After the 2017 Amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act
The 2017 amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act introduced certain revised provisions. Following the conclusion of their 26-week pregnancy leave, new mothers can choose to work from home depending on the nature of their work. Companies with more than 50 employees must make the crèche facility available and allow female employees to visit the crèche at least 4 times a day. Companies are now mandated to educate employees about maternity benefits at the time of appointment. Terminating employment without justifiable reason when it coincides with the first day of maternity leave will be considered illegal and unjustifiable
Why paid Maternity Leave in India is important to uphold Gender Equality.
Paid maternity leave is an important aspect of upholding gender equality and equality for all. As it helps to reduce the disadvantages and discrimination that women may face in the workplace due to their reproductive roles. There are several reasons why paid maternity leave is important:
Economic empowerment:
Paid maternity leave provides financial support to women during a time when they may not be able to work due to pregnancy or childbirth. This helps to reduce the economic burden on women. Moreover, enables them to participate in the workforce on an equal footing with men.
Health and well-being:
Paid maternity leave enables women to take the time they need to recover from childbirth. This can have a positive impact on their physical and mental health, as well as the health of their child.
Career advancement:
Without paid maternity leave, women may be forced to leave their jobs or return to work before they are ready. Hence it can negatively impact their career advancement. Paid maternity leave supports women to recover and care for children, without harming their careers.
Gender equality:
Paid maternity leave reduces the gender gap by not penalizing women for their reproductive role in the workforce. This can help to promote gender equality in the workplace and society as a whole.
Overall, paid maternity leave is an important tool for promoting gender equality and equality for all. As it can have a positive impact on the health, well-being, and economic empowerment of women and their families.
This outline can be expanded and revised as needed depending on the specific focus and requirements of the research paper.
Challenges of implementing Maternity Leave
Maternity leave policies face challenges that can impede progress in supporting women in the workplace. The following are some of the challenges that can be encountered:
Resistance from employers:
Some employers may be hesitant as they view them as costly and disruptive to the workflow. This can be especially true for small businesses that may not have the resources to cover the costs of temporary replacement workers or reduced productivity levels during the employee’s absence.
Concerns about cost and productivity:
Employers may worry about the costs and productivity impact of maternity leave policies. These concerns may arise due to a lack of understanding of the benefits that maternity leave policies can have for the company, such as improved employee retention rates and a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
Negative stereotypes about women and mothers in the workplace:
Another challenge that can be faced is the presence of negative stereotypes about women and mothers in the workplace. This can lead to a perception that Maternity leave makes women less committed/productive in their careers. Attitudes can discourage women from using maternity leave, feeling undervalued
Educating employers about maternity leave benefits are vital for companies/employees. It is also important to address negative stereotypes and biases through awareness campaigns and workplace culture initiatives that promote gender equality and inclusivity. Additionally, governments and policymakers can play a role in supporting the implementation of maternity leave policies by providing financial incentives and legal protections for employees who take maternity leave. By overcoming these challenges, we can create more supportive and equitable workplaces that benefit everyone.
Maternity leave policies in different countries
Maternity leave policies range from extensive to no support across countries. In this section, we will compare maternity leave policies in countries with different levels of economic development and cultural attitudes toward gender roles and analyze the effectiveness of these policies in promoting maternal and child health, gender equality, and economic benefits.
Maternity Leave Policies in High-Income Countries:
High-income countries such as Sweden, Norway, and Canada provide generous maternity leave policies that range from 40 to 52 weeks of paid leave. These policies are often accompanied by policies that promote flexible work arrangements and encourage fathers to take paternity leave. Maternity leave policies aim to promote gender equality and support parenting. The effectiveness of these policies in promoting maternal and child health, gender equality, and economic benefits has been well documented. Studies have shown that longer maternity leave policies lead to improved maternal mental health and reduced rates of postpartum depression. These policies have also been associated with increased breastfeeding rates and better infant health outcomes. In addition, Maternity leave policies reduce the gender pay gap and increase female participation.
Maternity Leave Policies in Middle-Income Countries:
Middle-income countries such as Mexico and Brazil typically provide 12 to 16 weeks of maternity leave. These policies are often accompanied by social security benefits and protections against job loss. However, these policies are not always well-enforced and may be insufficient to provide adequate support to new mothers. The effectiveness of these policies in promoting maternal and child health, gender equality, and economic benefits has been mixed. While longer maternity leave policies have been associated with improved maternal and child health outcomes, they have not always been effective in promoting gender equality in the workplace or improving female labor force participation rates. This is due in part to cultural attitudes that place a greater emphasis on traditional gender roles and may make it difficult for women to balance work and family responsibilities.
Maternity Leave Policies in Low-Income Countries:
Low-income countries such as Kenya and Uganda typically provide 12 weeks of maternity leave, but many women are not able to take advantage of this leave due to a lack of job protection or financial support. The effectiveness of these policies in promoting maternal and child health, gender equality, and economic benefits is limited by the lack of resources available to these countries. However, studies have shown that longer maternity leave policies improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Maternity leave policies play an important role in promoting maternal and child health, gender equality, and economic benefits. Countries with more generous maternity leave policies have been found to have better health outcomes for mothers and infants, increased female labor force participation rates, and reduced gender pay gaps. However, Cultural attitudes, lack of resources, and job protection can limit effectiveness. Governments and policymakers should work to ensure that maternity leave policies are accessible, effective, and equitable for all women.
Suggestions & Conclusions
The research on maternity leave policies has important implications for policymakers, employers, and society as a whole. Policymakers should take note of the evidence that longer maternity leave policies can promote maternal and child health, gender equality, and economic benefits. Policies should offer paid leave, job protection, and social security benefits for new mothers. They should also consider policies that encourage fathers to take paternity leave, as this can promote gender equality in the workplace and support parents in balancing work and family responsibilities.
Employers should realize the benefits of adequate maternity leave policies and implement them. They should also work to eliminate negative stereotypes about women and mothers in the workplace and to create a supportive and inclusive work environment for all employees.
Society must support new mothers and promote gender equality in all areas. This includes creating policies that support work-family balance, eliminating gender stereotypes, and promoting equal pay and opportunities for all. Future research on maternity leave policies should focus on the effectiveness of different policy models in different contexts, including low-income countries and countries with different cultural attitudes toward gender roles. Research should also examine the impact of longer maternity leave policies on the mental health of new mothers and the long-term economic benefits of these policies for families and society as a whole. Additionally, research should explore the impact of paternity leave policies on gender equality in the workplace and the role of employers in promoting work-family balance for all employees.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maternity Leaves
Q: What is maternity leave?
A: Maternity leave is a period of absence from work granted to expectant or new mothers to allow them to take care of their newborn child.
Q: What is the duration of maternity leave in India?
A: As per the Maternity Benefit Act, of 1961, the duration of maternity leave in India is 26 weeks or 180 days.
Q: Who is eligible for maternity leave in India?
A: Maternity leave applies to all female employees, regardless of their employment status, including permanent, temporary, contractual, and daily wage employees. The leave is also applicable to adoptive mothers, commissioning mothers, and surrogate mothers.
Q: Is maternity leave in India is paid leave?
A: Yes, maternity leave is paid leave. The employee is entitled to receive the full salary for the period of her absence.
Q: Is it mandatory for companies to provide a crèche facility for female employees?
A: Yes, companies with more than 50 employees must provide a crèche facility for their female employees.
Q: Can a new mother work from home after her maternity leave is over?
A: Yes, as per the 2017 amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act, new mothers can choose to work from home after their 26-week pregnancy leave, depending on the nature of their work.
Q: What happens if an employer terminates a female employee’s employment during her maternity leave?
A: Terminating an employee’s employment during her maternity leave without justifiable reason will be considered illegal and unjustifiable. The employee is entitled to receive the full salary for the entire duration of her maternity leave, and she can take legal action against her employer for wrongful termination.
Q: Can a female employee avail of maternity leave more than once?
A: Yes, a female employee can avail of maternity leave more than once, but the duration of the leave for subsequent pregnancies may be reduced to 12 weeks instead of 26 weeks.
Q: Can a female employee avail of maternity leave before childbirth?
A: Yes, a female employee can avail of maternity leave before childbirth for a maximum period of 8 weeks, subject to the certification of a registered medical practitioner.
For Critical Analysis of Women’s Human Rights In India: Click Here
Leave feedback about this