prasad1
Active member
[FONT="]"India now surpasses many European and Asian countries in terms of maternity benefits being provided to working mothers," Nishith Desai Associates, an Indian law firm, said in a recent note.
When it comes to paid leave, New Delhi is indeed ahead of most — excluding the U.K. who offers 39 weeks. The U.S. has zero, Canada provides up to 17 weeks, France doles out 16 weeks, while Germany and Japan both offer 14 weeks, according to the OECD. The average figure among OECD members is 17.7 weeks.
Despite the many positives for Indian females and employers, including greater job security and expectations for higher employee retention, there are equally significant disadvantages.
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[FONT="][h=4]An unfair burden[/h]Many countries split the price of maternity leave between the government, employer, insurance and other social security programs. In India however, companies bear all the costs.
The additional requirements behind the new act, such as creche facilities, would require employers to establish adequate infrastructure that will lead to more expenses, according to Nishith Desai Associates.
"To help reduce the employer's financial exposure, an option could have been provided in terms of part unpaid leave, something that is common in some developed nations," the law firm said.
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[FONT="][h=4]Hit to female labor[/h]The higher costs for employers could also hit demand for female workers, especially in situations where prospective employers are faced with male and female candidates of similar caliber, economic consultant Mitali Nikore said in a note published on the London School of Economics website.
"The government seems to have overlooked the recommendation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission (a government-appointed panel that overlooks wages) and has left out women in the unorganized sector," said the law firm's note.
By excluding paternity leave, Modi's administration is reinforcing the notion that responsibility of child-care lies solely on women, Nikore said.
"By providing maternity leave and creches benefits only to women, the law effectively places the onus of upbringing squarely on women ...The language (of the amendment) demonstrates that lawmakers are completely alien to the concept of fatherhood."
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/30/indi...line|story&par=yahoo&doc=104373368&yptr=yahoo
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When it comes to paid leave, New Delhi is indeed ahead of most — excluding the U.K. who offers 39 weeks. The U.S. has zero, Canada provides up to 17 weeks, France doles out 16 weeks, while Germany and Japan both offer 14 weeks, according to the OECD. The average figure among OECD members is 17.7 weeks.
Despite the many positives for Indian females and employers, including greater job security and expectations for higher employee retention, there are equally significant disadvantages.
[/FONT]
[FONT="][h=4]An unfair burden[/h]Many countries split the price of maternity leave between the government, employer, insurance and other social security programs. In India however, companies bear all the costs.
The additional requirements behind the new act, such as creche facilities, would require employers to establish adequate infrastructure that will lead to more expenses, according to Nishith Desai Associates.
"To help reduce the employer's financial exposure, an option could have been provided in terms of part unpaid leave, something that is common in some developed nations," the law firm said.
[/FONT]
[FONT="][h=4]Hit to female labor[/h]The higher costs for employers could also hit demand for female workers, especially in situations where prospective employers are faced with male and female candidates of similar caliber, economic consultant Mitali Nikore said in a note published on the London School of Economics website.
"The government seems to have overlooked the recommendation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission (a government-appointed panel that overlooks wages) and has left out women in the unorganized sector," said the law firm's note.
By excluding paternity leave, Modi's administration is reinforcing the notion that responsibility of child-care lies solely on women, Nikore said.
"By providing maternity leave and creches benefits only to women, the law effectively places the onus of upbringing squarely on women ...The language (of the amendment) demonstrates that lawmakers are completely alien to the concept of fatherhood."
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/30/indi...line|story&par=yahoo&doc=104373368&yptr=yahoo
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