Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Female Workers (Muster Roll)
(2000) 3 SCC 224 · Supreme Court of India
Muster-roll women workers are entitled to maternity benefit; the Act is a social-welfare measure not confined to regular employees.
Unit III · Labour Law – II
Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 as amended in 2017
Study aid only. Confirm statute numbers with the current bare Act and the official OU LL.B. (3-YDC) 2024–25 syllabus PDF.
Statute sections
| Act / instrument | Section | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 | 3(c) | Delivery and related definitions |
| Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 | 5 | Right to payment of maternity benefit (26 weeks after 2017) |
| Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 | 12 | Dismissal during absence or pregnancy prohibited |
Landmark cases
B. Shah v. Presiding Officer, Labour Court, Coimbatore
AIR 1978 SC 12 · Supreme Court of India
Sundays and holidays falling within the maternity period are counted in computing the statutory weeks of benefit.
Neera Mathur v. Life Insurance Corporation of India
AIR 1992 SC 392 · Supreme Court of India
Forcing a woman employee to disclose intimate pregnancy details as a condition of confirmation violates dignity and service fairness.