The much awaited Maternity Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on Thursday by voice vote. The bill increases the maternity leaves from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for pregnant women. It also protects the employment of women during the time of pregnancy and entitles them of full paid absence from work to take care of the child. The Bill was moved by the Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya in Lower House.
The Bill will be applicable to the establishments that hires at least 10 or more people. The entitlement will be for only up to first two children. For third child, the entitlement will be for only 12 weeks.
