Can My Friend Still Claim Maternity Benefits a Year After Her Leave Ended?

One of my female friends asked me about her situation regarding maternity benefits. Her company did not provide her with any maternity benefits during her maternity period, which has now ended. She works as an account assistant in a textile company with approximately 500 employees.

Claiming Maternity Benefits After Maternity Period

Can she claim the benefits of maternity now, after one year of her maternity period?

Dear Patrik, did your friend apply for maternity benefits? Did the employer deny extending the same to your friend's claim? Your friend needs to file a complaint with the labor office to assert her rights under the act.

She had applied, but they denied it verbally. There is no written procedure completed to deny her request, so she does not have any proof now for the same.

Maternity Benefits Under the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961

The Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 explicitly states that maternity benefits are a right of women employees, and the employer is obligated to provide them. If a claim for the benefit is refused, as indicated, the claim can be submitted to the Inspector (Labour Officer of the local area), who is then required to take further action.

Thank you.