The government may enhance maternity leave for working women to four-and-a-half months from three months now by amending the relevant Act, for which the consultation process has already been initiated. A tripartite meeting of government officials, trade unions and employers to discuss this will be held sometime next week.
The ministry of women and child development had proposed to enhance the leave provision under the Maternity Benefits Act, 1961, to around-seven-and-a half months. The move, part of the Centre’s labour reform agenda, is likely to be included in the proposed social security code. Drafting on the code will be started following talks with stakeholders.