LEGISLATION COMMENTARY ON THE MATERNITY BENEFIT ACT, 1961
Author – JHALAK SINGH & RIYA BISWAS, STUDENTS AT JAGRAN LAKECITY UNIVERSITY
Best Citation – JHALAK SINGH & RIYA BISWAS, LEGISLATION COMMENTARY ON THE MATERNITY BENEFIT ACT, 1961, ILE JUDICIAL AND LEGAL REVIEW, 1 (1) of 2023, Pg. 109-116, ISBN – 978-81-961120-0-4.
ABSTRACT
The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is a significant legislation in India that provides support to working women during their maternity leave. This act recognizes the importance of maternity and provides benefits such as maternity leave, nursing breaks, and other facilities to help women take care of their newborns. The Act has had a positive impact on the lives of working women and their families in India by promoting gender equality in the workplace, improving the health and well-being of mothers and children, and increasing workforce participation by women. However, there are limitations to the Act that need to be addressed to ensure that women’s rights are protected. The Act has had a significant impact on the lives of working women and their families in India. It has promoted gender equality in the workplace by recognizing the importance of maternity and providing support to women during this crucial period. It has also improved the health and well-being of mothers and children by allowing women to take time off work to recover from childbirth and bond with their infants. In addition to these benefits, the Act has also contributed to the increased workforce participation by women in India. It has made it easier for women to participate in the workforce by providing them with the necessary support during their maternity leave. This has led to greater economic empowerment of women in India and has helped to reduce gender disparities in the workforce. Moreover, the Act has helped to increase awareness among women about their rights to maternity benefits. This has led to more women availing these benefits and has helped to ensure that women are not discriminated against in the workplace on the basis of their pregnancy or maternity status. Despite its many benefits, the Act does have some limitations that need to be addressed. For example, the Act only covers women in the formal sector, leaving out a significant portion of the female workforce in India. Moreover, the benefits provided by the Act are limited and may not be enough to meet the needs of women and their families during their maternity leave.
KEYWORDS: Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, working women, maternity leave, gender equality, health, workforce participation.