Gov planning to increase maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks

Central government is all set to increase the maternity leave of women working in the private sector – from nearly 3 months now to 6 ½ months.

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi confirmed that Ministry of Labor has agreed to increase the maternity leave, “We had written to the Labour Ministry asking that the maternity leave be extended taking into account the six months of breastfeeding that is required post childbirth, she said.

Currently, there is a provision of only 12 weeks of maternity benefits (where employers pay full salary for the period of leave) under Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

Ministry of Labor has expressed some reservations such as employers may not prefer a married woman while hiring. However, it is expected that the government will go ahead with amending the maternity benefit act.

Source: The Indian Express