Kerala Govt contract worker’s ‘permanent Vs temporary pregnancy’ note exposes maternity benefit gaps

Thiruvananthapuram: Can pregnancy be categorised as a “permanent pregnancy” or a “temporary pregnancy”? According to women employed as contract workers in Kerala government departments, the answer is yes. A note written by a temporary employee, describing maternity-leave conditions that effectively classify pregnancy, has triggered a widespread discussion on social media.

The pregnant woman, who works under the Health Department’s breastfeeding awareness programme, described the hardships faced by herself and other such contract workers. When permanent women employees in government service become pregnant, they are entitled to six months of maternity leave along with a full monthly salary. However, pregnant women working on contract across various government schemes and offices may receive six months of maternity leave — but often with no salary.

Temporary staff must renew their contracts every year. Under contract terms, women are eligible for six months of maternity leave, but receiving salary for the leave period depends on several conditions. The rules are as follows:

Those who deliver after April 2 are eligible for six months of maternity leave with salary. Only those who give birth between April and October receive the full benefit.

Those delivering from November onwards are eligible for maternity leave with salary only until March 31. After March, they may take leave without pay. Women who deliver in March receive six months of unpaid leave only.

Even if a woman expected to deliver in April develops health issues and delivers in March, she will receive only unpaid leave.

Pregnant women newly joining service must work for at least 80 days and strictly meet the above criteria to receive full maternity benefits.

Many are forced to quit their jobs due to the denial of maternity entitlements, the note states. Despite multiple complaints to authorities, the response has been nothing but a “cryptic silence”.