It just got better for working women. With the Rajya Sabha passing, by voice vote, a bill to hike maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks, India has jumped to third position in the world.
Now only Norway with 44 weeks leave and Canada (50) are ahead. The new law will benefit about 1.8 million women employees and could become a deciding factor for those who had to give up jobs on account of the strain and stress of motherhood.
At present, women comprise 25 per cent of the workforce at entry level. This drops to 16 per cent at the middle level and four per cent at the top level. Motherhood becomes an issue at the time of hiring and though this will always be at the back of the head of HR managers, the new law will present them with
a fait accompli, which might open the door for more women
to gain employment. Since this law will be applicable to any
organisation employing more than 10 persons there is hope it
will address the gender imbalance at the workplace. The private
sector cannot walk away from its responsibility towards
society and the family and must bring that most famous Indian
trait “ adjust “ into play.
