Child Care
Leave, introduced by the 6th CPC, was a boon for women employees
Women employees have for long, been entitled
to Maternity Leave. The 90 days paid leave granted as maternity leave was
extended to 135 days by the 5th CPC. The 6th CPC further increased it to 180
days.
Based on the very reasonable request
presented by ATMAJA (Association of Adoptive Parents), the Government announced
‘Child Adoption Leave’ for female employees in 2006. Orders were issued to grant
135 days leave for female employees who adopt child upto one year of age.
The 6th CPC introduced a family welfare
privilege for female employees. Consequent upon the decisions taken by the
Government on the recommendations of the 6th CPC relating to Maternity Leave
and Child Care Leave, the Central Govt decided that the existing provisions of
Maternity Leave enhanced to 180 days.
Leave of the kind due and admissible
(including commuted leave for a period not exceeding 60 days and leave not due)
that can be granted in continuation with Maternity Leave provided in Rule
43(4)(b) shall be increased to 2 years.
Women employees having minor children may be
granted Child Care Leave for a maximum period of two years (i.e. 730 days)
during their entire service for taking care of upto two children whether for
rearing or to look after any of their needs like examination, sickness etc.
Only female employees were entitled to these leaves in order to provide health care and education supervision requirements for her two children. Although there were difficulties in implementing this decision, the announcement was welcomed by women employees.
But this also created a sense of longing
among the male employees.
Were they not concerned about their family’s
welfare?
Was their presence not required in health and
education related issues of their children?
‘Why are we being denied this allowance?’.
Men employees were wondered.
But some male staff themselves wondered, it
is impossible to give the same privilege to male employees too, who constitute
90% of the government workforce.
One could also hear demands that if not 730
days, at least half of it should be given to the male employees.
Some suggest that the allowance should be
made in genuine cases after necessary enquiries.
Some also suggest that in cases where the husband
and wife are employed, the leave should be given to both.
Everybody has a right to demand…!
The request to give this privilege to men who
have lost their wives, to look after their children sounds very reasonable.
Children who have lost their mothers require
the care and presence of their fathers.
Will the 7th CPC consider this
demand?
Source: www.employeesnews.in
[http://www.employeesnews.in/2014/04/will-7th-cpc-extend-child-care-leave.html]
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