Lok Sabha Question No. 294 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Policy to Reconcile Work and Family Responsibilities
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Aditya Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 294

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

## POLICY TO RECONCILE WORK AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES

*294. SHRI ADITYA YADAV:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)whether  the  Government  encourages  all  States  to  adopt  and implement  legislation  and  policies  designed  to  promote  the reconciliation of work and family responsibilities, including increased  flexibility  in  working  arrangements  to  provide  care facilities for children and other dependents;
- (b)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)whether the Government ensures that both women and men have access to maternity or paternity leave, parental leave and other forms  of  leave  and  are  not  discriminated  against  while  availing such benefits; and

(d)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. *                                                 *****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  294  FOR  16.12.2024  BY  SHRI ADITYA  YADAV  REGARDING  POLICY  TO  RECONCILE  WORK  AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES.

(a) to (d): Government  has  taken  measures  to  promote  balance between  work  and  family  responsibilities.  In  2017,  the  Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 was amended which, inter alia, provides for paid maternity leave of 26 weeks for woman employees; 3 months to a woman who legally adopts a child below the age of three months; 12 weeks to a commissioning mother; 6 weeks in case of miscarriage; two breaks during her daily work schedule for nursing her child until the child reaches fifteen months of age. Every establishment with fifty  or  more  employees  must  provide  a  crèche  facility,  either separately or alongside other common facilities.

In case where the nature of work assigned to a woman is of such nature that she may work from home, the employer may allow her to do so after availing of maternity benefit for such period and on such conditions as the employer and the woman may mutually agree.

These provisions have been incorporated in the Code on Social Security, 2020.

The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is enforced by the Central Government and State Governments in their respective jurisdiction.

'The Palna' (formerly National Crèche Scheme for children of working mothers), a centrally sponsored scheme is implemented provide crèche/day care facilities to children (in the age group of 6 months to through states/union territories w.e.f. 01.01.2017 to 6 years).

The  Government  has  recently  issued  an  advisory  on 31.01.2024, which, inter-alia, requires balance between employment and care responsibilities, viz, every employer should:

- (a)ensure a balance between employment and caregiving responsibilities for both men and women to foster an equitable workplace, including implementing family-friendly measures such as  paternity  leave,  parental  leave,  family  emergency  leave  and flexible working arrangements.
- (b)take measures that not only encourage women but also men to take up flexible working time arrangements, including teleworking, to participate in care responsibilities.

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