Cabinet approves increase in maternity benefit

New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) The Cabinet on Wednesday approved increase of maternity benefit from 12 to 26 weeks for two surviving children and 12 weeks for more than two children.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its ex-post facto approval for amendments to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 by introducing the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Parliament, stated an official statement.

"The amendments to Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 include increase of maternity benefits and mandatory provision of creche in respect of establishment having 50 or more employees," it added.

According to the statement, the amendments will help over 1.8 million women workforce in organised sector.