Amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday 11th August 2016  passed the much awaited amendment to Maternity Benefit Act, 1961,

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has gave its ex-post facto approval to the bill on Wednesday 10^th  August 2016 .

The maternity benefit Act 1961 protects the employment of women during the time of her maternity and entitles her of a ‘maternity benefit’ – i.e. full paid absence from work – to take care for her child.

The act is applicable to all establishments employing 10 or more persons. The amendments will help 1.8 million (approx.) women workforce in organised sector.