Dear All, Please find below changes done in the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017. The copy of gazette notification is attached for your reference. It is applicable w.e.f. 27th March 2017. Kindly amend your maternity leave policy accordingly.
• Increased Maternity Benefit from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for two surviving children and 12 weeks for more than two children.
• 12 weeks Maternity Benefit to a 'Commissioning mother' and 'Adopting mother'.
• Facilitate 'Work from home'.
• Mandatory provision of Creche in respect of establishment having 50 or more employees.
Amendment in Section 5 of the Principal Act
In Section 5 (3) (i)
The maximum period for which any woman shall be entitled to maternity benefit shall be twenty six weeks of which not more than eight weeks shall precede the date of her expected delivery:] Provided that where a woman dies during this period, the maternity benefit shall be payable only for the days up to and including the day of her death: [Provided further that where a woman, having been delivered of a child, dies during her delivery or during the period immediately following the date of her delivery for which she is entitled for the maternity benefit, leaving behind in either case the child, the employer shall be liable for the maternity benefit for that entire period but if the child also dies during the said period, then, for the days up to and including the date of the death of the child.]"
In Section 5 (3) (ii)
In case of two or more children “shall be twelve weeks of which not more than six weeks shall precede the date of her expected delivery".
New Section Inserted In Section 5 (4)
A woman who legally adopts a child below the age of three months or a commissioning mother shall be entitled to maternity benefit for a period of twelve weeks from the date the child is handed over to the adopting mother or the commissioning mother
New Section Inserted In Section 5 (5)
In case where the nature of work assigned to a woman is of such nature that she may work from home, the employer may allow her to do so after availing of the maternity benefit for such period and on such conditions as the employer and the woman may mutual agree?
New Section Inserted Section 11(A)
Section 11(A) (1)
Every establishment having fifty or more employees shall have the facility of créche within such distance as may be prescribed, either separately or along with common facilities. The employer shall allow four visits a day to the creche by the woman, which shall also include the interval for which rest allowed to her.
Section 11(A) (2)
Every establishment shall intimate in writing and electronically to every woman at the time of appointment the maternity benefits which are provided to her.
• Increased Maternity Benefit from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for two surviving children and 12 weeks for more than two children.
• 12 weeks Maternity Benefit to a 'Commissioning mother' and 'Adopting mother'.
• Facilitate 'Work from home'.
• Mandatory provision of Creche in respect of establishment having 50 or more employees.
Amendment in Section 5 of the Principal Act
In Section 5 (3) (i)
The maximum period for which any woman shall be entitled to maternity benefit shall be twenty six weeks of which not more than eight weeks shall precede the date of her expected delivery:] Provided that where a woman dies during this period, the maternity benefit shall be payable only for the days up to and including the day of her death: [Provided further that where a woman, having been delivered of a child, dies during her delivery or during the period immediately following the date of her delivery for which she is entitled for the maternity benefit, leaving behind in either case the child, the employer shall be liable for the maternity benefit for that entire period but if the child also dies during the said period, then, for the days up to and including the date of the death of the child.]"
In Section 5 (3) (ii)
In case of two or more children “shall be twelve weeks of which not more than six weeks shall precede the date of her expected delivery".
New Section Inserted In Section 5 (4)
A woman who legally adopts a child below the age of three months or a commissioning mother shall be entitled to maternity benefit for a period of twelve weeks from the date the child is handed over to the adopting mother or the commissioning mother
New Section Inserted In Section 5 (5)
In case where the nature of work assigned to a woman is of such nature that she may work from home, the employer may allow her to do so after availing of the maternity benefit for such period and on such conditions as the employer and the woman may mutual agree?
New Section Inserted Section 11(A)
Section 11(A) (1)
Every establishment having fifty or more employees shall have the facility of créche within such distance as may be prescribed, either separately or along with common facilities. The employer shall allow four visits a day to the creche by the woman, which shall also include the interval for which rest allowed to her.
Section 11(A) (2)
Every establishment shall intimate in writing and electronically to every woman at the time of appointment the maternity benefits which are provided to her.