As per a new government proposal woman employees who are surrogate and commissioning mothers may get six months maternity leave, says a leading television news channel.
For the first time, paternity leave will also be granted in the case of surrogacy according to the changes in service rules proposed by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). Currently, there is no provision present for any kind of leave for surrogate or commissioning mothers.
It is proposed that 180 days maternity leave may be granted to the surrogate as well as commissioning mothers, in case either or both of them, are government servants.
“The commissioning mother also requires time to bond with her child and to take utmost care of him or her and hence would also become eligible for child care leave,” as per the proposed rules.
What the new rules say
The existing norms granted a maternity leave to a female government employee for a period of 135 days that is about 4 months and 15 days.
The center has also decided to do away with the age limit of child care leave in the case of special children since the necessity of parental care is constantly required as the child grows older. Therefore, it may be allowed for child care leave in such cases without any age limit of the child and woman employees can avail a leave for 730 days (2 years) as per the rules.
Currently, child care leave is granted to woman employees having children below the age of 18 years, for a maximum period of two years during their period of service. This leave shall not be granted if the child is above 18 years as per the existing rules.
Woman employees can also take a Leave Travel Concession (LTC)- grant of leave and compensation of travel tickets for going to their hometowns or any other place. Currently leaving headquarters or availing LTC are not permissible during a child care leave.
The government must ensure that surrogate and commissioning mothers get a sufficient amount of time with their child during their growing years to ameliorate the bond between the parent and the child.
These rules must be implemented for the benefits of both parents as they play an equal role in the blossoming and nurturing of their child.
Watch this video and see the measures some companies take to extend maternity leave and childcare allowance
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