The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 brought significant changes to protect female employees and encourage women’s participation in the workforce.
Key Provisions:
- Duration of Leave: Increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for women with up to two children. For women with more than two children, the leave is 12 weeks.
- Maternity Benefits for Adoptive Mothers: Women who adopt children below 3 months of age are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave.
- Work from Home: Women are allowed to opt for work-from-home arrangements post the 26-week leave, if mutually agreed with the employer.
- Crèche Facilities: Organizations with 50 or more employees must provide crèche facilities, and women are allowed four visits to the crèche per day.
Impact on Businesses:
- Operational Adjustments: Employers must account for longer periods of absence and plan for replacements or adjustments in workloads.
- Facility Costs: Businesses need to provide crèche services, which could increase overheads, particularly for SMEs.
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