Navigating Maternity Leave: Will ESIC or My Employer Cover My Pay?

I joined this organization and got the ESIC facility started in April. My delivery is in the month of November. Can I get maternity leave, and will it be payable or not? If ESIC does not cover my maternity leave, will the organization pay me for it? Is there a rule for this? Can you help me with the same?

When I was in my last organization, the ESIC facility was available. Can I get maternity leave payment from my current organization? Could you please explain this to me, as I am confused about it?

Regards,
Sanjivani

Dear member, if you are/were covered under the ESI Act, 1948, then the maternity benefit is payable by ESIC only if you have contributed for "not less than seventy days in the immediately preceding two consecutive contribution periods" (Rule 56 of ESI (Central) Rules, 1952).

From the facts mentioned by you, you will be eligible only if you satisfy the above conditions. You have not clarified whether you have the same insurance number on which you have contributed in your previous employment or if your present employer has obtained a separate insurance number for you. In many cases, when a separate insurance number is allotted, the insured persons/women become disentitled for benefits due to a lesser number of days against said insurance number.

In order to clear your doubt, I suggest you contact the nearest ESI Branch Office to which you are presently attached along with your identity card and insurance number pertaining to previous employment (if separate) and discuss the issue. The Branch Office to which you are attached is the appropriate authority/office for deciding eligibility and payments of cash benefits, including maternity benefit.