The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 aims to regulate the employment of women before and after childbirth, providing maternity benefits and other related benefits. It applies to various establishments and specifies conditions for eligibility and entitlement to maternity benefits.

Key Points

• The Act applies to factories, mines, plantations, and other establishments, including those for equestrian and acrobatic performances.
• A woman must have worked for at least 160 days in the twelve months before her expected delivery to be eligible for maternity benefits.
• Maternity benefit duration is twelve weeks, including six weeks before and after delivery, with provisions for specific situations like the death of the mother or child.
• Employers are required to display notices related to maternity benefits and maintain prescribed registers and records.
• Penalties are in place for contravention of the Act by employers and for obstructing inspectors, with a time limit for prosecution of offenses.