Women Conductors In Maharashtra To Get 9-Month Maternity Leave

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has decided to grant nine months of maternity leave to its women conductors. The decision came after several incidents of miscarriages among women conductors were reported in the past few years.

There are about 4,400 women conductors in the workforce of almost 1.04 lakh employees.  

The MSRTC, claiming that it is the first government establishment to do so, decided to grant an additional paid leave of three months to all women conductors during pregnancy besides the standard six months

This sums up the total maternity leave to nine months. The MSRTC claimed that the maternity leave will be a total nine months.

As reported by TOI, the MSRTC issued a statement saying that the policy decision was made keeping in mind these unfortunate incidents. The corporation further decided to make an offer for all pregnant women conductors, where they can opt for desk jobs instead of hectic travel routines in the buses.

Also: Now, 180 Days Maternity Leave To Working Pregnant Women In Uttarakhand

Women conductors have welcomed the decision. A conductor from the Aurangabad central bus stand said: 

"Our bus routes are not always smooth. The chances of harm to the foetuses is high during work hours. We thank the top authorities for giving due consideration to issues faced by women."

On March 25, Abhijit Bhosale, MSRTC central public relations officer, stated that in the last few years, six incidents of miscarriages among pregnant women conductors were reported, which prompted the corporation's top authority to revise rules. According the framework as on November 24, 2010, all women staffers were offered maternity leave of 180 days.

Also: Centre Okays Maternity Leave for Working Moms Using Surrogacy

Rajendra Patil, MSRTC Aurangabad division controller, called the development a progressive decision.