Government mulling maternity benefit for women in unorganised sector

He said there will be a certain lock-in period so that the money is not diverted for any other purpose. The subscribers will also earn interest on accumulations, which will be credited into their accounts.

Aggarwal also talked about making a provision under the scheme that if a subscriber does not give birth to a child till the prescribed age then she would be allowed to withdraw the entire money.

He was of the view that it is not feasible for the government to provide the benefit of paid maternity leave for six months to mothers in unorganised sector as it would require huge funding.

After the passage of Maternity Benefit Bill 2016 in Lok Sabha in forthcoming Winter session, as many as 1.8 million women will be benefited under the formal sector.

The Maternity Benefit Act covers all establishments employing 10 or more workers. But the new provision in the law would not provide any relief to over 10 crore women working in farms or as domestic help.