The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 to increase paid leave for expectant mothers from three months to six and a half months. In a first, women adopting a newborn and those having babies through surrogacy will also be entitled for maternity leave for three months. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill of 2016 will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The proposed amendment also “facilitates work from home” and “mandatory provision for crèche” for factories with at least 50 workers. The government says these amendments, which are applicable to factories with at least 10 workers, will help around 18 lakh women workers in the organised sector.

Source: The Hindu August 10, 2016 22:16 UTC