Govt considering doubling maternity leave to 24 weeks

New Delhi, Aug 10: Government is considering a proposal to increase the existing maternity leave from 12 weeks to 24 weeks under the Maternity Benefit Act 1961, Parliament was informed on Monday.

"A proposal is under consideration to increase the existing maternity leave from twelve weeks to twenty four weeks under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961," Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

At present, as per Section 5(3)of the Act, a working woman is entitled for twelve weeks of maternity leave out of which six weeks are before the expected date of delivery.

The minister further said that however, no proposal is under consideration to double the bonus and to make gratuity portable between jobs.

The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 provides for bonus to persons in certain establishments, employing 20 or more persons, on the basis of profits or on the basis of production or productivity and for matters connected therewith.

The minimum bonus of 8.33 per cent is payable by every industry and establishment under Section 10 of the Act.

The maximum bonus including productivity linked bonus that can be paid in any accounting year shall not exceed 20 per cent of the salary/wage of an employee under Section 31A of the Act.

At present, employees drawing salary or wage not exceeding Rs 10,000 per month in any industry to do any skilled or unskilled, manual, supervisory managerial, administrative, technical or clerical work for hire or reward are eligible for bonus.

PTI