Archive · 3 Jul 2025
Orissa High Court: Contractual Workers Entitled to Maternity Leave
The Orissa High Court decided that women working for the state on a contract basis are allowed to take maternity leave, just like regular employees.
The court agreed with an earlier decision that said the state government was wrong to deny maternity benefits to a contractual employee.
The court stated that the state has a duty to provide such benefits because of international agreements.
The judges highlighted the importance of mothers and the bond between a mother and child, citing studies and previous court decisions.
They emphasized that both the mother and the baby have rights related to breastfeeding and care during early development.
Orissa High Court ruled that contractual employees are entitled to maternity leave.
The court affirmed a 2022 decision by a single-judge bench.
The ruling came in response to the state government's challenge of the initial decision.
The court cited international covenants emphasizing the importance of maternity benefits.
The court referenced previous judgments supporting maternity leave for contractual workers.
- Who
- Division Bench of Justices Dixit Krishna Shripad and Mruganka Sekhar Sahoo.
- What
- Orissa High Court upheld the right of contractual employees to maternity leave.
- When
- Recently; the ruling affirmed a decision from 2022.
- Where
- Orissa High Court, Cuttack, India.
- Why
- To ensure contractual employees receive maternity benefits, aligning with international covenants and emphasizing the importance of maternity.
State Government
Orissa High Court
Entitlement to Maternity Leave
State Government
Contractual employees are not entitled to maternity benefits.
Orissa High Court
Contractual employees are entitled to maternity leave and benefits.
- Court
- Orissa High Court
- Type of Ruling
- Division Bench upheld a prior ruling
- Issue
- Maternity leave for contractual employees
- Government's Argument
- Contractual employees not entitled to maternity benefits
- Referenced Act
- Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
