Hello, everybody! I am a citizen of a foreign country working for the Indian Government. Currently, I am on maternity leave. How many months can I take for maternity leave according to Indian legislation? Can an employer dismiss me after three months of maternity leave? Do I have the right to be paid a one-month compensation in this case?
From Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
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From Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
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Dear Feya,
It appears that you have combined maternity leave and dismissal unnecessarily. If your employer had sanctioned three months of paid maternity leave, then prima facie, it appears that the conditions of the Maternity Benefits Act are fulfilled, and the matter closes there. What are the terms of appointment mentioned in your appointment letter? What is the notice period from either side? Now the question arises: did the employer give notice for removal from employment as per the terms of the appointment letter or not? Notice could have been given even though you were on maternity leave. If not, then you may submit an application and ask to fulfill the conditions of the appointment letter. Whether the notice period and maternity leave can overlap could be a bone of contention.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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8219It appears that you have combined maternity leave and dismissal unnecessarily. If your employer had sanctioned three months of paid maternity leave, then prima facie, it appears that the conditions of the Maternity Benefits Act are fulfilled, and the matter closes there. What are the terms of appointment mentioned in your appointment letter? What is the notice period from either side? Now the question arises: did the employer give notice for removal from employment as per the terms of the appointment letter or not? Notice could have been given even though you were on maternity leave. If not, then you may submit an application and ask to fulfill the conditions of the appointment letter. Whether the notice period and maternity leave can overlap could be a bone of contention.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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Dear Mr. Dinesh Divekar,
Thank you so much for your reply! I was on maternity leave, but my employer dismissed me at the end of the 3rd month, giving just an email notice about dismissal. Only now, 2 months later after dismissal, they say that a woman on maternity leave cannot be dismissed if she is a citizen of India, having the right to 6 months' maternity leave, and I am not a citizen. Is it right? What about dismissal compensation? Are there any law articles regulating this issue?
From Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
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Thank you so much for your reply! I was on maternity leave, but my employer dismissed me at the end of the 3rd month, giving just an email notice about dismissal. Only now, 2 months later after dismissal, they say that a woman on maternity leave cannot be dismissed if she is a citizen of India, having the right to 6 months' maternity leave, and I am not a citizen. Is it right? What about dismissal compensation? Are there any law articles regulating this issue?
From Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
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Dear Feya,
The Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 does not distinguish between Indian citizens and non-Indian citizens. Eligibility for maternity leave is the same for all.
Now, let's address the "dismissal" aspect. Why were you removed from your job at your company? Typically, employees are dismissed either for disciplinary reasons or due to underperformance. Regardless of the reason for dismissal, every company must conduct a domestic inquiry.
Could you please share your former designation and how many individuals reported to you? As I mentioned in my previous message, I suggest you apply for the payout for the notice period or allow yourself to serve and complete the notice period. We can further discuss your situation after that.
Thank you,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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The Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 does not distinguish between Indian citizens and non-Indian citizens. Eligibility for maternity leave is the same for all.
Now, let's address the "dismissal" aspect. Why were you removed from your job at your company? Typically, employees are dismissed either for disciplinary reasons or due to underperformance. Regardless of the reason for dismissal, every company must conduct a domestic inquiry.
Could you please share your former designation and how many individuals reported to you? As I mentioned in my previous message, I suggest you apply for the payout for the notice period or allow yourself to serve and complete the notice period. We can further discuss your situation after that.
Thank you,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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Dear Mr. Dinesh Divekar,
Thank you very much for your detailed reply! Regarding my dismissal, I was on maternity leave and required more time for rehabilitation due to a difficult delivery. I have medical confirmation of this. However, I was instructed to return to work immediately. Despite explaining that I was unable to do so, I was issued a dismissal order. There were no disciplinary issues or performance concerns, considering my successful 4 years of work. My position was Senior Interpreter.
Thank you once again for your advice!
From Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
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Thank you very much for your detailed reply! Regarding my dismissal, I was on maternity leave and required more time for rehabilitation due to a difficult delivery. I have medical confirmation of this. However, I was instructed to return to work immediately. Despite explaining that I was unable to do so, I was issued a dismissal order. There were no disciplinary issues or performance concerns, considering my successful 4 years of work. My position was Senior Interpreter.
Thank you once again for your advice!
From Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
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Dear member,
Apart from the remarks of the senior and expert Sh. Dinesh Divekar Ji, as mentioned above, I would like to submit for your kind examination of your entitlement by considering the following aspects:
(a) What are your terms and conditions of employment? In such terms and conditions, it must have been specified what your rights are in relation to various labor laws of India.
(b) You have stated that you are working for the "Indian Government." The question arises as to whether you are employed by the "Central Government of India" or any of its independent departments, corporations, or banks. The terms and conditions of employment may vary between the Central Government of India and independent corporations or banks.
(c) Where are you employed? Are you serving within Indian territory itself or in any of the offices/organizations of the Central Government of India in another country?
I hope that if you provide some details on the above points, the issue will become clearer for myself as well as for our seniors and experts.
From India, Noida
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Apart from the remarks of the senior and expert Sh. Dinesh Divekar Ji, as mentioned above, I would like to submit for your kind examination of your entitlement by considering the following aspects:
(a) What are your terms and conditions of employment? In such terms and conditions, it must have been specified what your rights are in relation to various labor laws of India.
(b) You have stated that you are working for the "Indian Government." The question arises as to whether you are employed by the "Central Government of India" or any of its independent departments, corporations, or banks. The terms and conditions of employment may vary between the Central Government of India and independent corporations or banks.
(c) Where are you employed? Are you serving within Indian territory itself or in any of the offices/organizations of the Central Government of India in another country?
I hope that if you provide some details on the above points, the issue will become clearer for myself as well as for our seniors and experts.
From India, Noida
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Dear Feya,
In your third post, you have come to the point. Due to the critical situation that arose during your pregnancy, upon completion of your maternity leave, you wanted to avail of additional leave, with or without pay. When you approached the authorities, they declined to sanction the additional leave. Consequently, since you did not report for duty, they treated you as absconding and without conducting an inquiry, they have removed you from the job.
However, there may be more than meets the eye. I sense that the authorities at your office intended to scrutinize you. Your unauthorized absence conveniently provided the authorities with an opportunity to take action against you. Has anyone replaced you? I have a feeling that they intended to proceed with that individual.
For further advice, please respond to the queries raised by Mr. Mehta.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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In your third post, you have come to the point. Due to the critical situation that arose during your pregnancy, upon completion of your maternity leave, you wanted to avail of additional leave, with or without pay. When you approached the authorities, they declined to sanction the additional leave. Consequently, since you did not report for duty, they treated you as absconding and without conducting an inquiry, they have removed you from the job.
However, there may be more than meets the eye. I sense that the authorities at your office intended to scrutinize you. Your unauthorized absence conveniently provided the authorities with an opportunity to take action against you. Has anyone replaced you? I have a feeling that they intended to proceed with that individual.
For further advice, please respond to the queries raised by Mr. Mehta.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
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Can you provide some information on your statement "I am a citizen of a foreign country working for the Indian Government." Were you in regular employment (governed by service conditions notified under Article 309 of the Constitution) or otherwise?
From India, Kochi
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From India, Kochi
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Dear Mr. HARSH KUMAR MEHTA and Mr. Dinesh Divekar,
I am very grateful for your replies! Please find below my answers to your questions:
1)
a) It is a labor contract, and according to one of its articles: "Her grievances, if any, will be settled according to the Government of India's rules and regulations and not according to the Local Laws of the country concerned where the Mission is located."
b) This is the Embassy of India in a foreign country.
c) The territory of the Embassy is considered to be the territory of the Indian Republic.
2) I will be thankful for your comments and recommendations regarding my maternity leave period and dismissal compensation!
According to Indian law, maternity leave lasts for 180 days, if I am not mistaken, 12 weeks of which are paid. I needed unpaid leave after 12 weeks of maternity leave, necessary for my rehabilitation after a difficult delivery (confirmed by a medical certificate), and I asked for it. However, in reply, I was sent an order of dismissal. It was not unauthorized absence. Nobody replaced me yet because the Embassy has not found a suitable candidate.
Best regards,
Feya
From Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
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I am very grateful for your replies! Please find below my answers to your questions:
1)
a) It is a labor contract, and according to one of its articles: "Her grievances, if any, will be settled according to the Government of India's rules and regulations and not according to the Local Laws of the country concerned where the Mission is located."
b) This is the Embassy of India in a foreign country.
c) The territory of the Embassy is considered to be the territory of the Indian Republic.
2) I will be thankful for your comments and recommendations regarding my maternity leave period and dismissal compensation!
According to Indian law, maternity leave lasts for 180 days, if I am not mistaken, 12 weeks of which are paid. I needed unpaid leave after 12 weeks of maternity leave, necessary for my rehabilitation after a difficult delivery (confirmed by a medical certificate), and I asked for it. However, in reply, I was sent an order of dismissal. It was not unauthorized absence. Nobody replaced me yet because the Embassy has not found a suitable candidate.
Best regards,
Feya
From Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
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Please immediately write to the Ministry of External Affairs. You may address the email to Mrs. Sushma Swaraj. Her email id is available on the Ministry of External Affairs website. She is known to be a very helpful minister who takes swift action. I am aware that she has assisted a female employee of a foreign citizen at the Indian embassy in my current location. The situation was similar. The secretary to one of the consular officers went on maternity leave, and her employment was terminated. Upon reaching out to Mrs. Sushma Swaraj, the secretary was reinstated. Please remember to send a copy to the ambassador as well.
All the best.
From United+States, San+Francisco
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All the best.
From United+States, San+Francisco
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