The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 seeks to regulate the employment of women in certain establishments for certain periods before and after childbirth and to provide for maternity benefit and certain other benefits. This Act extends to the whole of India and applies to every factory, mine, plantations, establishments for the exhibition of equestrian, acrobatic and other performances. This Act is also applicable to every shop or establishments defined under any law applicable to such establishments in a state in which persons are employed on any day of the preceding twelve months. Under this Act, the prohibited period of employment for women includes the period of employment or work by women in any establishment during the six weeks immediately following the day of her delivery or her miscarriage. Other benefits under this Act includes the provisions of leave for miscarriage, leave for illness arising out of pregnancy or delivery, premature birth of child or miscarriage and nursing breaks for nursing the child until the child attained the age of 15 months. The Maternity Benefit Act provides for 12 weeks wages during maternity as well as paid leave in certain other related contingencies.
