The mandate on employers to provide crèche facilities to their employees was made effective from July 1, 2017 following the amendments made to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (“MB Act”) in April, 2017. The MB Act regulates employment of women in establishments before and after child-birth and is applicable to factories, mines, the circus industry, plantations and shops and establishments employing at least 10 employees, except such female employees who are covered under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948. This Article focuses mainly on the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India’s notification dated February 12, 2018, which deals with the draft Maternity Benefit (Crèche in the Mine Establishments) Rules 2018 (“Draft Rules”) whereby the objections, comments and suggestions of all persons affected or likely to be affected thereby are invited on the proposed changes to the Mines Crèche Rules, 1966 issued under the Mines Act, 1952. Read More