Maternity Leave: Will job opportunities be taken away from women again? or will the atmosphere change - Newztezz Online

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Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Maternity Leave: Will job opportunities be taken away from women again? or will the atmosphere change

NITI Aayog member Dr. VK Pal has said that the government should increase the maternity leave to nine months instead of six. After this, once again this debate has gained momentum whether this will improve the condition of women?

No matter how equal the matter may be, but reality always deceives. These are the testimony of those figures of male and female labor force, the figures on which the foundation of a better future is built, that future which is not really better at all. This is the reason that even today the participation of women in jobs is only 32.8 percent and 77.2 percent is occupied by men .

Of course, these figures are of 2021, but even after two years the actual condition is no different. Due to educational qualification, gender inequality and social factors at the workplace, women's participation in jobs is continuously decreasing. Especially after marriage and pregnancy, most women are forced to quit their jobs. Women who want to do jobs cannot get jobs. According to a survey conducted in 2018, the problem increased after the government made maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks. Most of the small and medium industries and startups had reduced the employment of women. We are reminding you of these figures because once again NITI Aayog has recommended to increase the maternity leave from six months to nine months.

What did NITI Aayog say?

NITI Aayog member Dr. VK Pal has said that the government should increase the maternity leave to nine months instead of six. A statement in this regard has also been issued by the FLO, the women's organization of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). It has been said that the private and government sectors should hold a one-time meeting to increase the maternity leave from six to nine. Apart from this, VK Paul has also suggested to open more cranches for better upbringing of children.

Startups do not hire women because of maternity leave

According to a survey, in 50 percent small and medium industries in India, women are not hired just because of maternity leave. According to a survey published on Pupil Matters, in 2017, 33 percent of companies banned the hiring of women after maternity benefits were increased from 12 to 26 weeks. 16 percent cut that number in half. These companies had different views on maternity leave. Of these, 37% talked about reducing the maternity leave to 3 months, while many believed that the salary for the time of maternity leave should not be received.

Why do women leave the job after all?

According to a survey, 73 percent of women in the country leave their jobs after giving birth to a child. Among women who return to work, 48 percent consider it appropriate to leave the job in four months. The reason for this is that by the time she returns to the job after six months, someone else has already taken her place, she remains on the sidelines. Neither do they get that kind of opportunities, nor do they get promotions, nor increments. Their partners are constantly moving forward and women tend to lag behind compared to men.

Will companies be able to leave this thinking

A woman has a right on maternity leave, but companies take it as a liability. Actually the company has to give paid leave of 6 months to the pregnant woman, if this time is reduced to 9 months then it will put a burden on any company. In such a situation, it is more likely that the company will hesitate to give jobs to women.

This does not mean that women should not get maternity leave, but a middle way can be found. For example, there is a provision of maternity leave in all the countries of the world, but 58 percent of these countries pay for it through social security, such as insurance, NGOs and other methods, and there are 16 percent of countries in which companies and states pay half the amount. Share half. If something like this is done in India too, then maybe the situation can improve.

What are the provisions in maternity leave

The Maternity Benefit Act was amended to provide for maternity leave to women. In the amendment made in 2017, the maternity leave was increased from 12 weeks to 26 weeks. Actually this act was made in 1961. Under this law, women adopting a child or a surrogate mother also get leave of up to 12 weeks. The company is paid full salary during these holidays. If possible, the company can also provide work from home to women employees.

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