Paid maternity leave increased to 6 months

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 to increase paid leave for expectant mothers from three months to six and a half months.

In a first, women adopting a newborn and those having babies through surrogacy will also be entitled for maternity leave for three months.

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill of 2016 will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

18 lakh women to benefit

The government says these amendments, which are applicable to factories with at least 10 workers, will help around 18 lakh women workers in the organised sector.

The proposed amendment also “facilitates work from home” and “mandatory provision for crèche” for factories with at least 50 workers.