Goa Cabinet Grants 180-Day Maternity Leave to Co-Terminus Women Staff
In a significant move to support working mothers, the Goa state cabinet has approved a proposal to grant 180 days of maternity leave to women staff appointed on a co-terminus basis. This decision, announced on Wednesday, applies specifically to employees with fewer than two surviving children, ensuring they receive substantial paid leave during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Scope and Eligibility of the New Policy
The policy covers women co-terminus staff working in key offices across the state government. This includes employees in the offices of the chief minister, deputy chief minister, ministers, leader of opposition, and advocate general, as well as other dignitaries who have been conferred the status of cabinet ministers. The leave is designed to provide financial and job security during a critical period for new mothers.
During the maternity leave, these staff members will be paid a leave salary equal to the pay they drew immediately before proceeding on leave. This ensures that their income remains stable, reducing economic stress. However, the cabinet has clarified that if a woman co-terminus staff member's employment is terminated for any reason, any balance maternity leave standing to her credit will lapse, emphasizing the conditional nature of this benefit.
Effective Date and Background of the Proposal
The benefits under this new framework will be made effective from October 1, 2025. The cabinet's decision follows a representation from a co-terminus staff member (female) appointed in the advocate general's office, who requested 180 days of maternity leave starting from October 14, 2025. The advocate general endorsed this request, leading to the cabinet's review and approval.
Previously, a proposal for granting 180 days of maternity leave to co-terminus staff, in line with the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, was moved in consultation with the personnel department. The current proposal does not introduce any additional benefits compared to the earlier one recommended by the Personnel Department. Instead, it rationalizes the existing framework, streamlining the process and ensuring clarity in implementation for co-terminus staff across various government offices.
Rationalization and Impact
This move is part of a broader effort to align state policies with national standards, promoting gender equality and supporting women in the workforce. By extending maternity leave to 180 days, Goa aims to enhance the well-being of working mothers, allowing them adequate time for recovery and bonding with their newborns without financial hardship.
The cabinet's approval underscores a commitment to modernizing employment benefits, particularly for temporary or co-terminus staff who often face uncertainties. This policy is expected to set a precedent for other states, encouraging similar reforms to support women employees in government and private sectors alike.
