Despite having good intentions, the maternity benefit act 2017 needs rational amendments to make it really effective. Elaborate (200 Words)
Refer - Financial Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
According to the World Bank, India ranks 120 amongst 131 countries in female labour force participation rates. In India, women constitute 48.5% of the total population however 96% of working women are employed in the informal sector.
The Maternity Benefit Act was amended in 2017 to increase maternity leave entitlement from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for the first two children, it had two objectives:
(a) prevent declining women labour force participation
(b) to improve the quality of labour market opportunities.
However, good intentions don’t always make good laws. While seemingly reformist, by placing the responsibility of providing benefits solely on the employer, it turned the tide and woman participation in the labour force further slumped.
Ex: financial burden of paid maternity leave on employer and crèche facility.
Rational changes
· The government should consider some measures for mitigating the limitations, which could be through themselves funding the costs partially through public funds, tax rebates for maternity wages or by the setting up of an insurance scheme to pay maternity wages and the consequent sharing of the premium with the employer.
· Another option could be to break up the 26 weeks into 13 months of maternity and 13 months of paternity leave, in an effort to negate any possibility of gender bias where work is being shared equally by both parents.
· The government should also set up creches with all the attendant facilities as proposed in the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 and allow employees eligible for such benefits to using these “creches” at a nominal cost.
· To maintain uniformity and balance, it would be advisable to bring the Maternity Benefit Act under Central legislation and should be extended to the informal sector.
To conclude, empowering women and providing fair representation will play a vital role in the economic growth and sustainable development of our country. In the absence of support from the government, timely intervention or necessary incentives the endeavour will remain unfulfilled.
V Ajisha 6 years
Kindly review. Thanks!
IAS Parliament 6 years
Good
attempt. Keep Writing.
Sandeep 6 years
Please review mine Thanks
IAS Parliament 6 years
Good Answer. Keep Writing.
Nandadeep 6 years
Kindly review.thanks
IAS Parliament 6 years
Try including about the changes to be made in the act regarding the informal sector. Keep Writing.
