Does the Tamil Nadu Shop Act Require Maternity Leave for Software Companies? Seeking Advice on Policies and Pay

Dear Friends,

As per our company policy, we don't have maternity leave benefits in our company. Actually, we are a software company registered under the shop act. Can anyone please tell me if the act requires the company to provide maternity leave for female staff? Also, could you suggest whether the company should pay salary during maternity leave and indicate how many days female staff can avail of maternity leave? Please advise me based on the Tamil Nadu Shop & Establishment Act rules.

Thanks.

It is really difficult to imagine that a company can have such policies that are prima facie illegal. Such dubious establishments manage to call themselves 'companies' technically by virtue of their registration under the Companies Act.

Regards.

If ten or more persons are employed in the software company you are referring to, then the Maternity Benefit Act is applicable to the company. The women employees are entitled to the maternity benefits provided under this Act.