Orissa HC rejects government’s writ, upholds maternity leave for contractual workers

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Cuttack: In a significant development, the Orissa High Court said that women contractual workers will be entitled to maternity leaves. A three judges’ bench have heard the case.

This judgement came after the Odisha government appealed to the High Court through a writ petition, against the maternity leaves for their contractual workers.

In an earlier judgement in August 2022, while hearing a case of a contractual employee, the single judge Bench of High Court termed the case as “inhuman”. The HC ordered that maternity leaves and such associated benefits cannot be denied to women on the basis of their contractual nature.

The State government had rejected the said employee’s maternity leave from August 17,2016 to February 12, 2017 citing that she was not entitled to the benefits as she is a contractual employee under the Department of Health and Family welfare.

The High Court upheld the previous judgement and ordered government to implement the law within 8 weeks. It has also directed the govt to submit a report.

Also Read: Orissa High Court clears way for retired OAS officer’s IAS promotion

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