Orissa High Court Upholds Maternity Rights for Contractual Employees

The Orissa High Court has reaffirmed a three-year-old judgment, defending the rights of contractual employees to receive maternity leave and associated benefits. The ruling came after rejecting a state government appeal against a single-judge Bench's decision favoring a Health and Family Welfare Department employee.

Justices Dixit Krishna Shripad and Mruganka Sekhar Sahoo, part of the Division Bench, supported the August 2022 single-judge ruling. This decision countered the state government's argument that contractual employees were not entitled to maternity benefits, emphasizing India's commitments under international covenants.

The court highlighted the critical role of maternity leave in fostering a crucial bond between mother and child. It cited essential human rights, reinforcing that the state must provide maternity benefits to contractual employees within available resources. Additionally, the court referenced the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, and prior judgments to solidify their stance.

(With inputs from agencies.)