Will 2016 Bring Good News for Working Women Expecting Good News

This is something for which all the women have been waiting for since so long. In this fast growing materialistic as well as competitive society, women are becoming somewhat reluctant to enjoy their joy of motherhood. May this New Year bring you the freedom of enjoying motherhood! One of the major obstacles in the path of motherhood is the short term maternity leave. So, now the government is trying to increase the term of Maternity leave for the working class women of private sector companies. It is going to increase till the extent of 26 weeks from 12 weeks. It means now you can enjoy a leave up to almost six and a half month. This amendment is going to be made based on the fact that – “Exclusive breast feeding is very essential for the wholesome development of a new born baby; it helps in fighting all the deadly diseases like malnutrition, diarrhea, polio, etc.”

In private firms, it is restricted to 12 weeks (84 days) according to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. Whereas, in the government sector, women are already entitled for 24 weeks ( 180 days) of maternity leave, as per the Central Civil Service (Leave) Rules 1972. Earlier, it was four and a half months but due to the amendments made in the last circular in the year 2008, it got increased to six months from four and a half months. In addition to this, the women in government sector can take an extended leave up to 2 years till their child turns to be of 18 years of age. This leave is termed as “Child care Leave.” It happens mostly in the cases where there is no support from the male counterpart in taking care of the child. It acts as a boon in the case of divorced and widowed women who are struggling between their personal and professional life. But, now as per the recommendation of Seventh Pay Commission, only first 365 days of the leave will be full-paid leave. In the next 365 days, companies will be giving only 80% of the salary.

Related Article: Planning for Maternity Leave – Know Your Rights and Enjoy Motherhood

In the developed countries like U.S.A., Electronic payment company “Pay Pal Holdings” have already announced the good news as it is going to increase its paid maternity leave to eight weeks (56 days). They can also take eight weeks of paid bonding leaves for a total of 16 weeks. Not just the expectant mothers, their spouses are also entitled for enjoying this new bonding benefit. In Singapore, women in the city-state get 16 weeks of maternity leave. The first eight weeks are paid by the employer where as the next eight weeks is reimbursed to the employer by the government. Worldwide, there is no set standard for this maternity-leave-policy. Amendments are always required, be it a home or a work place.

Related Article: Maternity Leave For Private Sector Employees To Increase From 12 To 26 Weeks

Now, As in India too, the trend is changing and more number of women are moving towards IT culture. The whole responsibility of the safety and development of the child comes on the shoulder of parents. While earlier, it was not so as children were born and brought up in joint families in the shade of their grand parents and lots of family members and neighbors. Living in an IT-city may be enjoyable for you but you cannot expect your parents to come and adapt to the new-growing culture of big cities. They are themselves tired of taking responsibilities. In such a case, if government is trying to increase the extent of maternity leave, then, it should seen as a really positive step contributing in the development of India. The development is not possible by developing only one gender of the society. This step is going to encourage all the women in continuing their job and to get back to their job as well. This is a nice encouragement by the Women and Child development Ministry of India. Others must acknowledge and appreciate such movement which helps in building cultural paradigm of the society. Let`s cross our fingers and hope for the good news from the coming New Year 2016.

Read Full Article: Govt to increase maternity leave in private sector to 26 weeks