Port Blair, July 01: One Stop Centre under the Directorate of Social Welfare organized an online awareness session on Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.The session was planned and focused to pregnant working women audiences connected from different location and A&N Islands to make aware pregnant working women on different maternity benefits prior to expected delivery and after.
Dr. Nitin Shakya, Director (SW), detailed the key provisions of Indian Maternity Benefits Act 1961 and Maternity Benefit Amendment Act 2017.In addition, emphasized about the provision in the CCS rules in which maternity benefits increased from 12 weeks to 180 days. These rights protect women in removing the fear of job insecurity, ensure equal pay during pregnancy and provide financial stability for mother and child.
The online session was led by Mrs. Meenal Rajan, Case Worker, One Stop Centre on the objectives and salient features of Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 which focused on the provisions that the act guarantees the right of a women employee to return to the same position/on equal position with the same pay and benefits after the completion of the maternity leave. Also briefed on challenges and criticisms of the Act, Maternity Policies under the Act and the penalty for denying maternity leave. Besides, services of One Stop Centre that it supports to facilitate quick, emergency and non-emergency access to number of services, including Legal counseling, Medical, Psychological support under one ceiling to fight all forms of violence against women. The affected women can approach to the One Stop Centre near AYUSH hospital, Junglighat, Port Blair or dialing landline number 234221,help line 181 or 112 . The program was attended by Lawyers and public.
