CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Expecting mothers who are working in the organised sector can now avail 26 weeks of paid maternity leave instead of 12 weeks. Bill allows 12 weeks of paid maternity leave to mothers who are adopting a child below the age of three months and also to commissioning mothers who opt for surrogacy.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Act regulates the employment of women during the period of child birth, and provides maternity benefits. The Act applies to factory, mines, plantations, shops and other establishments. The Bill amends provisions related to the duration and applicability of maternity leave, and other facilities.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, as amended vide the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, provides inter-alia for paid maternity leave to women workers and crèche facility by establishments.

Detailed explanation-4: -Increase in Maternity Benefit: The period of paid maternity leave (“Maternity Benefit”) that a woman employee is entitled to has been increased to 26 (twenty six) weeks.

Detailed explanation-5: -In March 2022, the Karnataka High Court passed an order clarifying the scope of the work from home benefit for mothers on maternity leave. The court held that the work from home benefit can only be provided when the nature of work assigned to the employee is such that it can be performed from home.