Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016:

The Cabinet has given approval for amendment of Section 64 and section 65 and consequential amendment of section 115 of the Factories Act, 1948 by introducing the Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the Parliament.

The approved amendments will give boost to the manufacturing sector and facilitate ease of doing business with an aim to enhance employment opportunities.

These amendments relate to increase in overtime hours from the existing 50 hours per quarter to 100 hours (Section 64) and existing 75 hours per quarter to 125 hours (Section 65).

Amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961:

Govt proposed amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 by introducing the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Parliament. The maternity benefit Act 1961 protects the employment of women during the time of her maternity and entitles her of a ‘maternity benefit’ – i.e. full paid absence from work – to take care for her child. The act is applicable to all establishments employing 10 or more persons. The amendments will help 1.8 million (approx.) women workforce in organised sector.

The amendments to Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 are as follows:

1.      Increase Maternity Benefit from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for two surviving children and 12 weeks for more than two children.

2.      12 weeks Maternity Benefit to a ‘Commissioning mother’ and ‘Adopting mother’.

3.      Facilitate ‘Work from home’.

4.      Mandatory provision of Creche in respect of establishment having 50 or more employees.