Maternity Benefit Less Than 20 Employee

Hi All,
If the company has less than 20 employees which includes a female, will the female employee be eligible for Maternity Leave, Benefits?
Reply requested.
Thanks,
S.Narasimhan

From where did you find that 20 employees are required in a company to avail Maternity Benefit as eligibility criteria, it is just a myth. There is no eligibility criteria for any company for Maternity Leave Benefits. Maternity Benefit can be claimed even if there is a single lady employed by the establishment so please go ahead and claim

Saji Please read sec 2 of the Maternity Benefit Act 1961 and correct your post.If MB act is not applicable ESI Act will apply if the Co is in implemented area provided at least 10 employees are working.
Varghese Mathew

Dear Members,
Even one female employee is there Act shall apply. Provided she has to be completed 80 days of working with the said organisation.
Regards,
V.Murali