The Rajya Sabha on Thursday unanimously passed The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 that provides for 26 weeks’ maternity leave against the present norms of 12 weeks. The Cabinet had on Wednesday given ex-post facto approval to the amendments made to the Maternity Benefits Act which are likely to benefit about 1.8 million women in the organized sector.
The Bill was passed by voice vote after it was moved for consideration and passage by labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya. “The very purpose of this Bill is to increase the working women force because in the work force, participation of women is decreasing day by day,” Dattatreya said.
The law will be applicable to all establishments employing 10 or more persons. Some members also sought norms for paternity leave so that parents can share the responsibility of raising children.
Citing the maternity leave rules prevalent in various countries, Dattatreya said post the enactment of the Bill, India will jump to the third position in terms of the number of weeks (26) for maternity leave, behind Norway (44) and Canada (50).
Highlighting that there are more nuclear families now, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said the Bill has its roots in malnutrition, as breastfeeding the child is recommended which is not possible unless the mother is in physical proximity of the child.
Rajni Patil (Cong), Narayan lal Panchariya (BJP), Vijila Sathyanath (AIADMK), Dola Sen (TMC), Kahkashan Parveen (JD-U), Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI-M), Sarojini Hembram (BJD), Vandana Chavan (NCP) and Jaya Bachchan (SP) were amongst the prominent members who participated in the debate. Anu Aga (Nominated) demanded provision for paternity leave.