Private sector maternity leave raised to 26 weeks: Eligibility criteria clarified

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Paid maternity leave for female employees in the private sector has been extended from 12 weeks to 26 weeks in accordance with the Central Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, Minister Bindu Krishna informed the State Legislative Assembly. The Minister was responding to a submission raised in the House by Mathew Kuzhalnadan, MLA.

The extended leave policy is applicable to all private establishments that currently employ 10 or more people, or have engaged 10 or more workers on any given day during the preceding 12 months. To qualify for this statutory benefit, a female employee must have completed a minimum of 80 days of service with the establishment.

However, employees working in establishments covered under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act will remain outside the purview of the Maternity Benefit Act. The implementation of maternity benefits for these individuals falls under the jurisdiction of the Employees' State Insurance Corporation.

To ensure strict compliance with the regulations, the government has designated Grade-2 Assistant Labour Officers as inspectors under the Maternity Benefit Act, while Deputy Labour Commissioners have been appointed as the appellate authorities. The Assistant Labour Officers are already actively processing grievances regarding the denial of statutory maternity benefits.

The Minister further noted that Regional Joint Labour Commissioners have reported prompt, time-bound action on complaints raised by women employed in private schools, educational institutions, and other private entities that do not fall under the ESI scheme.