Abstract

The emerging role of women in society today must be explored in concert, by placing special focus on the inclusion of social equality elements in law and courts. To give women an equitable and equal environment in the job, the Maternity Benefits Act, 1961 was introduced. This act is to regulate the employment of women in certain establishments for certain period before and after childbirth and to provide for maternity benefit and certain other benefits. The newest amendment to the Legislation in 2017 is a continuation of the breakthrough initiatives taken to include female workers by female workers' rights organizations. Today in our nation the position of a homemaker has changed greatly to that of a career woman. Maternity benefits and maternity leave are important functions for all female employees in all segments of female workers and play an important role in maintaining and growing the corporate presence and retention, efficiency, and satisfaction at work. The object of maternity leave and benefit is to protect the dignity of motherhood by providing for the full and health maintenance of women and her child when she is not working. Therefore, it is extremely pertinent that these provisions need to be understood and critically analysed in context to its position in today’s day and time.

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