CHANGES TO BE MADE IN THE MATERNITY BENEFIT ACT

The Modi government is considering to give an option of 'work from home' for 2 years for mothers under the maternity benefit act . Not only this , it also wants to double the maternity leave for every working women to 26 weeks . The amendments will be applicable to the Private sector also .
In a cabinet note , the labor ministry has proposed the changes to the Maternity Act . An official from the ministry said , " The first two years of a child's life with a mother are very important .So, we want the companies to be flexible in this regard ."
At present the Maternity leave is restricted to 3 months in the private sector . Whereas the Central government employees can take a maternity leave for upto 6 months .