Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017
Topic: Safeguards for Vulnerable Sections: SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities, Women and Children · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 raised paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks for the first two children. It gives 12 weeks of leave to adopting mothers and commissioning mothers (women who have a child through a surrogate). It requires establishments with 50 or more employees to provide a crèche, a day-care facility for young children. It builds on Art. 42 (maternity relief) and is now part of the Code on Social Security 2020.
Example
A woman working in a 200-employee office who gives birth to her first child can take 26 weeks of paid leave. She can then use the office crèche. Class 11, Equality calls maternity leave and crèches "enhancements of equality", not special favours.
Related concepts
- Equal Remuneration Act 1976
- Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013
- Internal Committee
- Babita Puniya case
- Dowry Prohibition Act 1961
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005
- Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act 2021
- Justice Verma Committee (2013)
- Nirbhaya Fund