Maternity leave laws

Currently, there are various labour laws that provide maternity benefits to women in different sectors. These laws differ in their coverage, benefits and financing of the benefits. The Second National Commission on Labour (2002) had recommended rationalisation of various labour laws with regard to providing social security, including maternity benefits. Table below details the various labour laws that provide maternity benefits.

Labour Laws across different sectors that provide maternity benefits

India: Uttarakhand HC Strikes Down Rule Denying Maternity Leave For Third Child As Unconstitutional [Read Order]

Read Judgement Below


Writ Petition No. 1778 of 2015 (S/S)

The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday struck down as unconstitutional a State rule denying maternity leave to female government employees for their third child. The order was issued by Justice Rajiv Sharma on a petition filed by one Ms. Urmla Masih, challenging the second proviso to Fundamental Rule 153 of the Financial Hand Book of the U.P. Fundamental Rules, as adopted by the State of Uttarakhand. The proviso disentitled from maternity leave female government employees who have two or more living children.


Ms. Masih had applied for maternity leave for almost five months in 2015, but had been denied the same on the ground that maternity leaves can only be granted for the first two children and not for the third child.Allowing the petition, the Court opined that the proviso runs contrary to Section 27 of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, which gives primacy to the Act when it comes to laws and agreements inconsistent with its provisions. It further ruled that the proviso goes against the letter and spirit of Article 42 of the Constitution of India, which stipulates that the State shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief. Furthermore, Justice Sharma relied on the judgment in the case of Ruksana v. State of Haryana & others, wherein Punjab and Haryana High Court had struck down a similar Punjab Civil Services rule, which denied the benefit of maternity leave on the birth of a third child. The petition was therefore allowed, with Justice Sharma ruling, “Thus, this Court is also of the considered view that second proviso of Fundamental Rule 153 is not in conformity with Section 27 of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 and is also against the spirit of Article 42 of the Constitution of India.

Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed. The proviso Second of the Fundamental Rule 153 of the U.P. Fundamental Rules, as adopted by the State of Uttarakhand is declared ultra vires and unconstitutional and the same is struck down.”

Uttarakhand High Court Strikes Down Rule Denying Maternity Leave For Third Child As Unconstitutional.pdf

International Comparison of  Maternity Leave

Ref:http://www.prsindia.org/uploads/media/Maternity%20Benefit/LB%20Maternity%20Benefit%20Bill%202016.pdf

L’Oreal India enhances maternity leave to 26 weeks

L’Oreal India has enhanced maternity leave to 26 weeks from 14 weeks earlier in an effort to retain high-potential employees.

The new parental benefits include pre-commute assistance for expecting women employees starting from the sixth month of pregnancy and child care allowance for two years from the date of delivery. “The business case of an enhanced maternity leave policy and other parental benefits is to retain high potential talent, enhance productivity and make the company an attractive employer,” said Mohit James, director, human resources, L’Oréal India.

To help new mothers ease back into work, they can also avail of reduced work hours for two continuous weeks immediately after resuming work, said James. The policy also entitles fathers to paid leave of two weeks. Additionally, the adoption leave has been increased to 12 weeks for mothers and one week for fathers.

L’Oréal India will also offer flexible working options to each parent as well as pre- and post-natal support and employee well-being sessions and dedicated HR and management support..

Deloitte declares 26 weeks of maternity leave for women employees; PWC, EY, KPMG to follow suit

The labour ministry is busy putting the amended Maternity Benefit Act together that would entitle working women in private sectors to 26 weeks of maternity leave from the existing 12, the big four consulting firms have already taken a leap. While Deloitte has declared 26 weeks of maternity leave for its woman employees, PricewaterhouseCoopers, EY and KPMG are in the process of finalising such policies. A severe crunch of woman employees at the top has pushed these companies to not only extend the maternity leave benefit, but also in introducing a slew of other initiatives to retain the valuable resource.

To be piloted for the first time in India, EY is also working out a programme called 'Maternal Coaching', where all the women at the leadership and senior positions will be trained to coach other women in their teams before and after maternity leave on not quitting the job. PwC is planning to retain women who leave for maternity with an 'umbilical cord' of up to seven years or so. This would allow women on maternity leave to be on the rolls of the company without actively working and without pay. "Though this is in the pipeline, they intend to offer all the training and updates to the women who go on maternity leave so that they are connected with the firm.

Improved maternity benefits could prove counterproductive: Survey

A little over one year after India increased the maternity leave benefit to 26 weeks from 12 weeks, a survey said the move could be counterproductive to the cause of a diverse workplace in certain sectors unless other support measures are also undertaken. According to a survey on the costs and benefits of the new regulations by leading employment services company TeamLease, at least 26 per cent of the 350 startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that responded said they will prefer hiring a male candidate, given the cost of the six-month maternity leave benefit. About 40 per cent of respondents said they will hire women but will consider whether such a cost is worth the candidate. However, 39 per cent of organisations said the move will have a positive impact and will lead to a happier workforce but 35 per cent of the respondents said that the six-month maternity leave will impact both cost and profitability. “While many of the startups and SMEs are progressive, a significant number seems to be considering the consequences of this regulation.” Plus, even when organisations do have a policy of non-discrimination in hiring, the recruiting manager could take a short-term view. Therefore, just changing the law is not enough; reinforcements are needed at multiple levels.

ET Bureau Updated: May 01, 2018,