UNION LABOUR MINISTRY ISSUES CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING MATERNITY BENEFIT (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2017

UNION LABOUR MINISTRY ISSUES CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING MATERNITY BENEFIT (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2017

PUNJAB GOVERNMENT INSTRUCTS ALL THE DEPARTMENTS TO STRICTLY COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT

Nabaz-e-Punjab Bureau, Chandigarh, May 9:
The Union Government has notified the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 and the provisions of the Amendment Act have come into force with effect from 1st April,2017, except those relating to crèche facility {Section 4(1)} which would come into force from 01.07.2017.
Official Spokesperson of the Punjab Government disclosing here said that written instructions to all the departments of the Punjab Government have been issued and they have been asked to comply with the provisions of the said Act in true spirits. He said that the Union Labour Ministry has been receiving number of queries from various quarters relating the revised provisions of the Act. After examining the queries the Union Ministry of Labour & Employment, has issued certain clarifications on various provisions of Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017.
Spokesperson said that it has been clarified by the Union Ministry that this Act is also applicable to all women who are employed in any capacity directly or through any agency i.e. either on contractual or as consultant. Those women employee who had already availed 12 weeks of maternity leave before enforcement of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 i.e. 1st April, 2017, shall not be entitled to avail the extended benefit of the 26 weeks leave.
He further said that any dismissal or discharge of women during the pregnancy is unlawful and such employer can be punished under Section 21 of the Act. The Maternity Benefit Act is applicable to all mines, plantations, shops and establishments and factories. Mines, plantation, shop and establishments could be either in organized sector or unorganized sector.