Chennai: The maternity leave rule for its female employees is set to be changed by the Tamil Nadu government.
Chief minister Vijay’s administration will henceforth grant 365 days of maternity leave for women employees who give birth for the third time.
According to the existing rule, married women in government employment are granted 365 days of maternity leave for their first two children, while those with two or more surviving children receive up to 12 weeks of maternity leave.
Minister for Human Resources Management D Sarathkumar made the announcement during the demand for grants to his department.
“Under these circumstances, as the Tamil Nadu government is a welfare-oriented administration prioritising social welfare and women’s empowerment, the maternity leave currently provided for the third child of female government employees will be enhanced from 12 weeks to 365 days,” the minister told the state Assembly.
Maternity leave was raised from 90 days to six months in 2011, nine months in 2016, and extended to one year (365 days) in July 2021 by the respective state governments of the day, PTI reported.
A detailed government order will soon be issued to give effect to the announcement in the Assembly.
