An organisation is covered under Maternity Benefit Act 1961 which provides benefits to women employees during pregnancy and delivery. Applicability: Sec 2 The act becomes applicable to The Act applies to (1) every establishment being a factory, mine, plantation or circus; (2) every shop or establishment in which 10 or more persons are employed Eligibility for availing the benefit: Sec 5 (2) Women employees including unmarried are eligible for maternity benefit when she is expecting a child and has worked for her employer for at least 80 days in the 12 months immediately preceding the date of her expected delivery. The Act, however does not apply to employees to which the provisions of the Employees' State Insurance Act apply. Period of benefit under the act: Sec 5 (3) Woman eligible for maternity benefit is entitled to a maximum period of 26 weeks (6 months) of which not more that 13 weeks (3 months) shall precede the date of her expected delivery. ‘‘(4) A woman who legally adopts a child below the age of three months or a commissioning mother shall be entitled to maternity benefit for a period of twelve weeks from the date the child is handed over to the adopting mother or the commissioning mother, as the case may be. EMKAY CONSULTANCY SERVICES (ESTT 1985) LABOUR LAW CONSULTANT PF, ESIC, PT, MLWF, Contract Labour Act, Bonus, Gratuity, Maternity Act, Minimum Wages, Payroll, Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Labour Law Compliance and Vendor Audit Visit our website: www.emkayconsultancy.in