Extending paid maternity leave: boon or bane?

The increase in paid maternity leave for women in the organised sector is a welcome measure as it will enable women to breastfeed the child for six months and also recuperate before returning to work. However, a lot more needs to be done for the vast majority of women who work in the unorganised sector. At the very least, adequate funds must be allocated for universalisation of maternity benefits steps taken to strengthen the implementation of the scheme. Also, the issue of increasing paternity leave, which is limited to fifteen days at present, must be considered as it recognises the role of men as caregivers and allows for more equitable distribution of parental responsibilities.
Kanika Kaul, Specialist, Budgeting for women

The increase in paid maternity leave days is certainly welcome. It is much delayed but unfortunately also diluted.  It is so unfair that it is limited to two children. We simply cannot punish the children. Also there is no meaning in just passing the law, without the will to implement it. A lot of women are denied maternity leave anyway. What has been happening simultaneously is that the labour inspection system is being dismantled, all over the country, in the name of self-regulation. Well established machinery for implementation is essential for mothers to enjoy the benefits of the new Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act.
Brinda Karat, Rajya Sabha member from the CPI

We already had this provision in the Central government some years ago, but now it applies to the private sector too. One great fear that persists is that women will not be included in the workforce after the Act, which is what happened in the 1930s. The percentage of women working in factories went down from 30- 40 per cent to about 3 - 4 per cent. First of all, the Act will be enforced largely in the organised sector. For others, these benefits will remain a dream. Even then, without a fixed percentage of women required in a workplace, there may be discrimination in the hiring process. We have to make sure that there isn’t a drop in the overall percentage of working women. Only then can they benefit from this in the long run.
Flavia Agnes, Advocate and women’s rights activist