Latest news with #MaternityBenefitAct
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Manipur govt notifies rules to ensure women's safety during nights in factories
IMPHAL: The Manipur government on Tuesday made it compulsory for factories to obtain the written consent of women to work night shifts, install proper lighting and CCTV cameras on the premises, and arrange secure transportation for women employees working late. New Manipur Civil Secretariat (File Photo) The provisions were incorporated in a notification issued on Tuesday by the state government's Department of Textiles, Commerce and Industry. The directive takes effect immediately. An official on Wednesday said women could still work beyond 7pm but this could only happen if they provide written consent, ensuring that no one is compelled to continue working during late hours against their will. 'To support this new regulation, the government has outlined several mandatory safety provisions. Factories are required to install proper lighting and CCTV cameras both inside and outside the premises to ensure continuous surveillance. Employers must also arrange secure transportation for women employees working late, ensuring they are safely dropped off at their homes after shifts', a senior government official said. A notification issued on Tuesday stated that, in addition to physical security, the government was also emphasising the importance of a healthy and respectful working environment. The notification called for the creation of workplace conditions that respect women's health, hygiene, and personal dignity, and that prevent the emergence of any hostile or discriminatory atmosphere. The notification also mandates strict adherence to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. It said all factories are required to adopt a formal anti-sexual harassment policy. As part of the compliance process, each factory must appoint a dedicated grievance officer to address complaints and ensure that women's concerns are dealt with efficiently and fairly. The new order bars pregnant and lactating mothers from working 6am to 7pm. This aligns with protections outlined under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, which ensures that working mothers are not subjected to undue stress or conditions that may affect their health or that of their child. 'This measure highlights the state's commitment to safeguarding women's rights and ensuring their safety in the workplace,' Anurag Bajpai, additional chief secretary of the Department of Textiles, Commerce & Industry, said in the notification.
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur regulates working hrs for women
Imphal: In a decisive move to bolster the safety and rights of women workers, the state govt has announced a new regulation prohibiting the employment of women in workplaces and factories during night hours. The order, issued by Anurag Bajpai, additional chief secretary (textiles, commerce & industry), restricts women from working between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am across the state, effective immediately upon its publication in the official gazette. This decision, rooted in the Factories Act, 1948, aims to protect women by setting stringent conditions for those who choose to work beyond 7:00pm. Employers must obtain written consent from female employees and ensure a safe working environment, including well-lit premises, CCTV surveillance, and secure transportation for late-night workers. The directive mandates compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, requiring factories to display women's rights prominently and appoint a grievance officer. Additionally, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, must be adhered to, ensuring pregnant and lactating women are not scheduled beyond 6:00am to 7:00pm. The Manipur govt emphasizes the importance of these measures in fostering a safer and more inclusive industrial sector, urging factory managements to fully comply with the new regulations to uphold the dignity and rights of women workers.
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Business Standard
04-08-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Reddit post on layoff during pregnancy: Know your rights and legal remedies
A Reddit post by a woman, who was fired eight months into her pregnancy, has raised concerns about employee rights and triggered a debate on it over the forum. In her post, the woman said she was heartbroken due to the layoff. What troubled her most was the timing of the layoff and the lingering suspicion that her pregnancy played a role in her termination. The Redditor's story has struck a chord with working women, sparking conversations on legal protections around maternity leave and termination. Experts say Indian labour law is clear, employers cannot dismiss or disadvantage a woman because she is pregnant or on maternity leave. Here's what the law says, and the legal remedies available to women in Can a woman employee be sacked during pregnancy? 'No, it is illegal,' says Tushar Kumar, advocate at the Supreme Court of India. 'Section 12 of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 explicitly prohibits the dismissal or discharge of a woman during maternity leave. If such a termination occurs, it is deemed void ab initio, and carries both civil and criminal consequences,' Kumar said. These protections apply to all private and government establishments with at least 10 employees. Additionally, constitutional provisions like Articles 15(3) and 42 bolster maternity safeguards as part of fundamental rights. Samayra Adhlakha, advocate at Delhi High Court, adds, 'Maternity benefits have been elevated to a fundamental right under Article 21 by the Supreme Court. Any action against a pregnant employee for taking leave is unlawful.' What legal action can a woman take? 'If an employee is terminated during pregnancy, she remains entitled to full maternity benefits,' says Abe Abraham, partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. 'This includes salary, medical bonus, and job protection, unless the employer can prove gross misconduct,' he added Kumar explains that women can approach: -The Labour Commissioner or Inspector under the Act (who has quasi-judicial powers) -Labour Court (if classified as a 'workman') -Or file a civil suit (if in a managerial role). -They may also explore redress through the National Commission for Women. Alay Razvi, managing partner, Accord Juris, outlines remedies like: -Reinstatement with backlog wages -Compensation for wrongful termination -Civil or writ petitions under Articles 14 and 15 -Criminal proceedings against the employer Suspect pregnancy discrimination? Do this first 'If a woman feels her pregnancy was a reason for her layoff, she must act swiftly,' says Kumar. 'Keep written records, termination letter, emails, performance reviews, pregnancy-related communication. Send a formal grievance to HR invoking Section 12 of the Act,' he said. Adhlakha suggests approaching the Regional Labour Commissioner first. 'The inspector's decision can be appealed before the Labour Court within 30 days.' Razvi adds, 'Maintain all records and seek written responses. These will be key to proving discrimination, either directly or through timing and circumstantial evidence.' While the Reddit post originated outside India, it has brought into sharp focus the universal vulnerability faced by women during pregnancy. In India, however, as these experts affirm, the law is firmly on the side of the expecting employee, provided she knows her rights and takes timely action.
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Himachal cabinet cancels 172 stalled hydro projects
The state cabinet on Wednesday allowed cancellation of the current allocation of 172 projects sanctioned by HIMURJA that failed to pick up even after more than two decades and has decided to re-advertise these projects. Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during cabinet ministers during meeting in Shimla on Wednesday. (HT Photo) The decision was taken by the chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led cabinet on Day 3 during the 4-day cabinet meetings. Himurja is the state nodal agency for promotion of renewable energy and aims to enhance the proliferation of rooftop solar within the state for projects. All the power projects under 5MW are handled by Himurja. The cabinet also decided to apply a uniform free power royalty of 12% along with an additional 1% for the local area development fund for all hydro projects up to 5 MW that will be allotted in the future. A senior officer said that the companies who were allotted these works failed to start the work and took extension from time to time. Along with this the cabinet also gave its approval to cancel 22 hydroelectric projects above 5 MW, previously allotted by the directorate of energy, where implementation agreements have not been signed. For rest of the projects, a time up to 5 August has been allowed for submission of the replies to the notices served. The state government had issued showcase notices to about 40 such companies. The cabinet also decided to constitute a committee to negotiate with 14 project developers for an out-of-court settlement for the refund of the principal amount of upfront premium, without interest. Amendments to the existing Compassionate Employment Policy The state cabinet also approved the much awaited amendments to the existing Compassionate Employment Policy giving relaxation in annual income eligibility. As per the revised policy, the annual income eligibility criterion per family has been enhanced from ₹2.50 lakh to ₹3 lakh. Priority for compassionate appointments will now be given to widows and parentless applicants below 45 years of age, as well as to the dependents of government officials who died while performing their duties. Additionally, in cases where vacancies under the existing 5% quota for such appointments are unavailable, the cabinet has permitted a one-time relaxation of this quota to ensure eligible applicants are accommodated. In another decision, the Cabinet has allowed engaging women workers in shops and commercial establishments to work in night shifts from 7 pm to 7 am to ensure gender equality. It was also decided to grant maternity benefits to every woman employee working in such establishments as prescribed under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. Amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals The state cabinet okayed amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015. As per the revised provisions, contractors or agencies engaged in road cutting will now be permitted to use the generated material, during the de-siltation and maintenance of reservoir projects, for captive purposes. Additionally, any leftover stacked raw material or finished product, along with the entire material generated shall be auctioned by the designated committee in accordance with the prescribed procedure. The cabinet also constituted a sub-committee under the chairmanship of industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan on the development of a 300 acre medical device park at Nalagarh and has been asked to submit its report within two months. Nod has been given to increase the number of BSc Nursing seats at Sister Nivedita Government Nursing College, Shimla from 60 to 100. Establishment of a new BSc Nursing College with an annual intake of 60 seats at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, along with the creation and filling up of 27 posts of various categories was also sanctioned. The cabinet further approved the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state Government and Alliance Air Aviation Ltd. for operating flights on the Shimla–Dharamshala–Shimla route. To facilitate the expansion of Kangra Airport, it granted a one-year extension, up to August 16, 2026, under Section 26 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, for land acquisition proceedings. Cabinet also approved the draft development plan for the Dhaulakuan Majra Planning Area in Sirmaur district.
News18
30-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Himachal Cabinet cancels 172 stalled hydro projects
Agency: Shimla, Jul 30 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday allowed cancellation of 172 small hydro projects of below 5 MW capacity under Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (HIMURJA), where construction work had been stalled for an extended period. The state government will re-advertise these projects, as per the decision taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Also, it was decided to apply a uniform free power royalty of 12 per cent along with an additional one per cent for the Local Area Development Fund for all hydro projects up to 5 MW that will be allotted in the future. The Cabinet also gave its approval to cancel 22 hydroelectric projects above 5 MW, where implementation agreements have not been signed, previously allotted by the Directorate of Energy, a statement issued here said. A committee will be formed to negotiate with 14 project developers for an out-of-court settlement for the refund of the principal amount of upfront premium, without interest. The state cabinet has also given its approval for amendments to the existing Compassionate Employment Policy. As per the revised policy, the annual income eligibility criterion per family has been enhanced from Rs 2.50 to Rs 3 lakh. Besides, under compassionate appointments, priority will now be given to widows and parentless applicants below 45 years of age, as well as to the dependents of government officials who died while performing their duties. Additionally, in cases where vacancies under the existing five per cent quota for such appointments are unavailable, the Cabinet has permitted a one-time relaxation of this quota to ensure eligible applicants are accommodated. In another decision, the Cabinet has allowed engaging women workers in shops and commercial establishments to work in night shifts from 7 pm to 7 am to ensure gender equality. It was also decided to grant maternity benefits to every woman employee working in such establishments as prescribed under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. The Cabinet has decided to constitute a Cabinet Sub-Committee under the chairmanship of Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan on the development of 300 acre Medical Device Park at Nalagarh. The Sub Committee has been asked to submit its report within two months. Nod was also given to amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015. As per the revised provisions, contractors or agencies engaged in road cutting will now be permitted to use the generated material, during the de-siltation and maintenance of reservoir projects, for captive purposes. To facilitate the expansion of Kangra Airport, the Cabinet has granted a one-year extension, up to August 16, 2026, under Section 26 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, for land acquisition proceedings, the statement added. PTI BPL HVA view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 20:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
