ALL FEMALE EMPLOYEES WHETHER ON CONTRACT, AD-HOC, PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY ARE ENTITLED TO MATERNITY LEAVE AT PAR WITH REGULAR EMPLOYEES

In Law, there is no difference between a female regular employee and a contractual employee/ad hoc employee because and a female employee whether regular, temporary or ad hoc, is a female for all intents and purposes and she has a matrimonial home, matrimonial life, and after conception, she has to undergo the entire maternity period, same treatment, pains and other difficulties which a regular employee has to undergo. Thus, there is no occasion for making discrimination and if, less period of maternity leave is granted to a contractual employee, it will amount to discrimination, in terms of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

The claim of maternity leave is founded on the grounds of fair play and social justice. There cannot be discrimination and if any discrimination is made. It is in breach of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution.

2015 Lab.I.C. 1717 State of H.P. and others v. Sudesh Kumari (DB) Himachal Pradesh High Court (D/- 18.11.2014)