Cabinet approves amendments to Maternity Benefit Act

The maternity benefit act which seeks to extend maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks along with other amendments to the initial act has finally been approved by the cabinet.

The amendments will be taken up in the Monsoon Session of the parliament in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The bill seeks to provide paid leave benefits to women working in the government as well as private sectors.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar had earlier labelled the bill as a "priority" for the government. 

The bill also has provisions for commissioning and adopting mothers.

Another amendment in the bill is to commission work from home for new mothers.

Maternity benefit act is applicable to all establishments employing 10 or more employees.