Contract staff entitled to maternity leave: HC

IN a landmark ruling that reaffirms the rights of women employees irrespective of their employment status, the Orissa High Court has upheld the grant of maternity leave to a contractual worker and dismissed the state government's appeal challenging the same.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Cuttack

Anindita Mishra, engaged as a young professional under the Health and Family Welfare department since May 20, 2014, had been serving on a contractual basis with regular extensions based on her performance.

In August 2016, following the birth of her daughter, she applied for maternity leave from August 17, 2016 to February 12, 2017. However, her application was summarily rejected by the department on June 7, 2017, citing that she was not entitled to such benefits due to her contractual status. Challenging the decision, Mishra filed a petition in the high court the same year.