key amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

• The Act provides maternity leave for up to 12 weeks for all women. The Bill extends this period to 26 weeks. However, a woman with two or more children will be entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave.
• The Bill introduces maternity leave up to 12 weeks for a woman who adopts a child below the age of three months, and for commissioning mothers. The period of maternity leave will be calculated from the date the child is handed over to the adoptive or commissioning mother. 
• The Bill requires every establishment with 50 or more employees to provide for crèche facilities within a prescribed distance. The woman will be allowed four visits to the crèche in a day. 
• An employer may permit a woman to work from home if the nature of work assigned permits her to do so. This may be mutually agreed upon by the employer and the woman. 
• The Bill requires an establishment to inform a woman of all benefits that would be available under the Bill, at the time of her appointment. Such information must be given in writing and electronically. 
• Several expert bodies like the WHO has recommended that 24 weeks of maternity leave is required to protect maternally and child health. However, since the costs of this leave are to be borne by the employer, it may have an adverse impact on job opportunities for women. 
• Various countries have implemented different funding models in relation to maternity benefits. In some countries, the employer bears the cost, while in some others it is paid by the government. 
• While women will be provided with 26 weeks of maternity leave for two children, the period of leave for a third child will be 12 weeks. This could affect the growth and development of the third born child. 
• The Act and Bill cover women workers employed in establishments with 10 or more employees, and other notified establishments. However, a majority of the women workforce, who are in the unorganized sectors, may not be covered. 
• There are several labor laws that provide maternity benefits to women in different sectors. These laws differ in their coverage, benefits and financing of such benefits.