Creche Facility Under Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, 2017

Introduction

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017¹ (hereinafter referred to as the "Maternity Act") is a landmark law which has enhanced the maternity benefits already available under the parent Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. The Act has increased the duration of paid maternity leave available to working mothers from 12 weeks to 26 weeks. However, for women, who already have two surviving children will be only entitled to a paid maternity leave of 12 weeks. Further, the Maternity Act has introduced provisions for adopting mother and commissioning mothers² who are entitled to maternity benefit leave of 12 weeks from the date on which the child is being handed over to the mother.