The Centre today said that it has been made mandatory to provide a creche facility either separately or alongside other common facilities at a workplace where fifty or more employees are working.

Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, Labour and Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said to promote balance between work and family responsibilities, several amendments have been made in different acts. He informed us that after the amendment in the Maternity Benefit Act 1961, female employees are getting paid leave of 26 weeks.

Dr. Mandaviya says a paid leave of three months is being provided to a working woman in the government sector who legally adopts a child below the age of three months. The union minister said that paid leave of 12 weeks is being provided to a commissioning mother and six weeks in case of miscarriage.