THE MATERNITY BENEFIT ACT, 1961
- The Act prohibits the Working of pregnant women for a specified period before and after delivery.
- It also provides for maternity leave and payment of certain monetary benefits to women workers.
- The services of a woman worker cannot be terminated during the period of their absence on account of pregnancy except for gross misconduct.
- Maximum period for which a woman can get maternity benefit is twelve weeks. Of this, six weeks must be taken prior to the date of delivery of the child and six weeks immediately following that date.
- The Act has been amended in 2008 which has empowered the Central Government to enhance the medical bonus within every three years, by notification in the Official Gazette subject to the maximum of Rs. 20,000.
- The medical bonus which was increased from Rs. 250/- to Rs.1000/- at the time of amendment has been increased to Rs. 2,500/.
THE PAYMENT OF GRATUITY ACT, 1972
- The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 is applicable to factories, mines, oil fields, plantations, ports, railways, motor transport undertakings, companies, shops and other establishments.
- The Act provides for payment of gratuity at the rate of 15 days wages for each completed year of service or part thereof in excess of six months subject to the maximum of Rs. 10 lakh.
- In case of seasonal establishments, gratuity is payable at the rate of seven days wages for each season.
- The Act does not affect the right of an employee to receive better terms of gratuity under any award or agreement or contract with the employer.
THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUNDS ACT, 1952
- The Act seeks to provide the financial security to the employees in the form of provident fund, pension and deposit-linked insurance.
- It applies to every establishment specified in the schedule and in which 20 or more persons are employed.
- The Act covers 186 specified industries/classes of establishments.
- Three schemes are framed under the Act viz., Employees Provident Fund Scheme 1952, Employees Pension Scheme 1995 and Employees Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme 1976.
- The Central Board of Trustees (CBT) through Employees Provident Fund of Organisation (EPFO) administers the schemes.
- The CBT (EPF) is a tripartite body headed by the Union Minister of Labour and Employment.
- Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has approximately 47 million subscriber enrolled in the three schemes.
- The total membership in the Employees Provident Fund was 35 lakh with membership in the Pension Fund being 972.55 lakh.