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If your employer has withheld any payment or maternity benefit from you or has dismissed you on account of your maternity leave, then you can approach the following authorities:
Inspector
You can approach the inspector to make a complaint. The inspector may make an inquiry on his own or after receiving a complaint, and pass orders based on the case. (( Section 17(1) and Section 17(2), The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.)) Commonly, the inspectors appointed under this law are labour regional commissioners. To know which officers have been designated as inspectors, click here.
You can appeal the decision of the inspector to the Labour Court. You should file the appeal within 30 days from the date on which the decision is communicated to you. (( Section 17(3), The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.)) However, if you do not file an appeal then the decision of the inspector is final. (( Section 17(4), The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.)) You can request the advice of a lawyer for the same.
National and State Commissions for Women
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a national-level government organization that is empowered to investigate complaints related to issues faced by women. The NCW will help you by:
- Monitoring and expediting the investigations being led by the police.
- Providing counselling or a hearing before the NCW. This is done to resolve disputes between the two parties.
You can get in touch with them by either calling the helpline number 1091, or sending an email to ncw@nic.in, or filing an online complaint. Further, you can also approach the State Commission of Women situated in your state, and ask them for help.
