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The Rajasthan High Court held that contractual workers satisfying the Maternity Benefit Act’s eligibility criteria cannot be denied statutory maternity leave, striking down a refusal based solely on service conditions. This ruling secures 180 days’ paid leave with interest for contract employees in state appointments.
Demotion after maternity leave violates Section 12 of the Maternity Benefit Act, the Delhi High Court found. It reinstated the employee as senior manager, awarded Rs 10 lakh for mental harassment, and directed the Union to issue guidelines for private employers. The ruling expands maternity protection to post-leave career progression for women workers.
Bombay High Court sets aside a Rs. 1,00,000 compensation awarded under the Maternity Benefit Act, holding that hardship awards must stay within statutory limits under Section 17(2)(b). The ruling clarifies that tribunals cannot grant lump-sum damages exceeding the Act's prescribed framework, impacting future employment disputes involving maternity benefits.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that guest faculty hired on honorarium are entitled to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, rejecting the state's argument that contractual status disqualifies them. This decision extends statutory maternity protections to non-permanent academic workers, affirming that constitutional rights to gender equality and dignified work override formal employment labels.
Bombay High Court holds that contractual employees are entitled to maternity benefits under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, irrespective of agreement terms.