Maternity Leave Extension Due to Backache: Is Additional Leave Payment Required?

One of our lady employees has availed 26 weeks of maternity leave. Now, she has submitted an application for a one-month leave extension along with a medical certificate from the hospital stating the reason as 'suffering from a backache'.

Is leave payment payable?

Please guide.

Regards,
Tanaji Shelar

The expert of the Act is enclosed:-

Eligibility: Payment of contribution of 70 days in two preceding Contribution Periods.

Duration & scale of benefits: Up to 12 weeks in case of confinement. Up to 6 weeks in case of miscarriage. Extendable by 1 Month on medical advice in case of Sickness arising out of Pregnancy, Confinement, Miscarriage.

Rate: 100% of the average daily wages. (now 12 weeks is now amended to 24 weeks) Which is extendable by 1 month on medical advice.