Major Amendments in the Maternity Benefit Act
The Amendment Act regulates paid maternity leave entitlement and other related benefits for women employed in factories, mines, shops, or commercial establishments employing 10 or more employees.
Find below the main amendments:
Increased Paid Maternity Leave
The Amendment Act has increased the duration of paid maternity leave available for women employees from the existing 12 weeks to 26 weeks. Under the Amendment Act, this benefit could be availed by women for a period extending up to 8 weeks before the expected delivery date, and the remaining 18 weeks can be availed post-delivery. For women who are expecting after having two children, the duration of paid maternity leave shall be 12 weeks (i.e., 6 weeks pre and 6 weeks post the expected date of delivery).
Maternity Leave for Adoptive and Commissioning Mothers
The Amendment Act extends certain benefits to adoptive mothers as well and provides that every woman who adopts a child shall be entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave from the date of such adoption.
Work from Home
The Amendment Act has also introduced an enabling provision relating to "work from home" for women, which may be exercised after the expiry of the 26 weeks' leave period. Depending upon the nature of work, women employees may be able to avail this benefit on terms that are "mutually agreed" with the employer.
Creche Facility
The Amendment Act makes the creche facility mandatory for every establishment employing 50 or more employees. Women employees would be permitted to visit the creche four times during the day.
Employee Awareness
The Amendment Act makes it mandatory for employers to educate women about the maternity benefits available to them at the time of their appointment.
Also, find a copy of the latest amendment act attached herewith.