Good news for working mothers: Govt plans to increase maternity leave to 26 weeks

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: This is certainly a good news for working mothers as the number of leaves for maternity might get increased.

The central government is planning to increase the maternity leave from the existing 12 weeks to 26 weeks for working women.

The proposal also plans to provide 12 weeks of maternity leave to commissioning mothers, who use surrogate mothers to bear a child, as well as for working women who adopt a baby.

"The Labour Ministry today held a tripartite meeting with trade unions and employers for discussing the draft amendment bill to extend maternity leave benefits to natural, commissioning and adopting mothers," sources said.

As per Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, a working woman, at present, is entitled for 12 weeks of maternity leave out of which six weeks are before the expected date of delivery.