Maternity Benefits Research Articles

What makes pregnant workers sick: why, when, where and how? An exploratory study in the ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh

BackgroundBangladesh has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality. Many factors have contributed to this; one is the socio-economic development of the country. The ready-made garment industry is at the forefront of this development creating employment for many women. However, the work environment has the potential to create health problems, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. This paper explores perceptions of health problems during pregnancy of factory workers, in this important industry in Bangladesh.MethodsThis study was conducted in four factories using qualitative research methods to provide a view of pregnant workers’ health risks beyond a bio-medical approach. Data was collected through in-depth interviews of pregnant workers and observations of their homes and workplaces. Further, key informant interviews with factory health care providers, government officials and employers revealed different perspectives and experiences. Data was collected in the local language (Bengali), then transcribed and analysed using a framework analysis approach.ResultsFemale workers reported that participation in paid work created an opportunity for them to earn money but pregnancy and the nature of the job, including being pressured to meet the production quota, pressure to leave the job because of their pregnancy and withholding of maternity benefits, cause stress, anxiety and may contribute to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. This was confirmed by factory doctors who suggested that developing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy was influenced by the nature of work and stress. The employers seemed focused on profit and meeting quotas and the health of pregnant workers appeared to be a lower priority. This study found that the government lacks the resources to understand the extent of the problem or the level of compliance with maternity related regulations.ConclusionsThese results indicate the vulnerability of female workers to physical and mental stress at work and associations with their health problems during pregnancy. It identifies the deficiencies of family, workplace and health service support for these pregnant workers, highlighting the urgent need for government and non-government organisations to work with this important export industry to improve health surveillance and monitoring and the enforcement of existing laws to protect the rights and conditions of pregnant women.

Can Maternity Benefits Have Long-Term Effects on Childbearing? Evidence from Soviet Russia

This paper quantifies the effects of Russia’s 1981 expansion in maternity benefits on completed childbearing. The program provided one year of partially paid parental leave and a small cash transfe...

THE EFFECTS OF MATERNITY POLICY ON WOMEN’S FERTILITY DECISION FROM THE ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

The changing roles of women today from traditional family caregivers to multitasking financial providers require specific protection to preserve their natural role as mothers. Such protection which include job security, health, maternity leave, maternity benefits, and others are to ensure that women are able to balance multiple roles. Pressures on any of their roles may adversely affect society and the economy in terms of labour market, when expectant mothers go off-ramping or when women choose to exercise their fertility decision-making. Many studies indicate a negative relationship between maternity policy and fertility which proves that women need support to serve both functions. There is also a difference in terms of the maternity policies between developed and developing countries which indicates a diverse approach in addressing the issue even though both face the same declining fertility rate problem. Islam does not object to the idea of career women in general. However, a set of guidelines has to be followed to preserve the sharīʿah. Among others, Islam promotes the maternal nature of women by encouraging them to continue breastfeeding when they are on-ramping. Thus, this paper intends to assess the fertility decisions made based on the women’s understanding of their firm’s maternity policy by conducting survey interviews. Even though the study finds that maternity policy does not directly affect the fertility decisions of the women involved, there are still recommendations to be made to improve current maternity policy practices by firms in general to promote a healthier working environment for women.

Once more with ‘sympathy’ but no resolution for intended mothers: the EU, Ireland and the surrogacy dilemma

This article examines the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Z v A Government Department and the Board of Management of a Community School and the court’s interpretation of existing EU legislation on whether commissioning or intended mothers are entitled to paid leave equivalent to maternity benefit. It highlights the failure of the CJEU in this case to call for specific EU legislation on the issue of surrogacy. The Irish Courts have been more proactive in this regard. The Supreme Court has acknowledged that ‘pending the introduction … of legislation dealing with this field, it is … not for the courts to attempt to resolve the complex questions that need to be addressed’. This article compares recent decisions of the Irish Courts to that of the CJEU as they struggle to keep abreast with modern society in the absence of legislation at national and EU level.

Exploring determinants of birth weight of the baby delivered in a tertiary hospital of Delhi

Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) is a global public health challenge. In India, the prevalence is 22%. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the major determinants of birth weight of the newborns delivered in a tertiary hospital of Delhi. Methodology: A total of 140 newborns were included in the study. The newborns were selected from the ICU. Results: There were 80 male and 60 female newborns. In the current study, 68% of the newborns were LBW, 5% were very LBW, and <1% extremely LBW. All the individual variables with a significant effect on birth weight (p<0.10) were analyzed together using multivariate analysis for combined effect on birth weight. Among all, mainly parity, pre-pregnancy weight, hemoglobin of mother, exposureto smoking tobacco, and residence (p<0.05) were found to be significantly associated with the birth weight of the newborn. Conclusion: Most of the data were concurrent with the previous study results along with no effect of supplementation programs such as the Integrated Child Development Service Scheme or conditional maternity benefit schemes on improving birth weight. More detailed community-based research with bigger sample size needs to be done to develop a clear understanding of some of these unaddressed or partially addressed determinants.

Implementation of National Food Security Act 2013 in India

An Act to provide for food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live life with dignity and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. In september 2013, the parliment of india passed the National Security Act (NFSA) that made Rights to Food a legal entitlement for approximately three -fourths of the rural population and half of the urban population of India. Besides ensuring access to highly subsidized food grain, NFSA also made maternity benefits and nutrition for children aged six months to 14 years alegal entitlement. while it is too early to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of NFSA, this paper attenpts to dicument its rollout and to discuss important innovations and challenges emerging form NFSA's early experiences in deffrent states and union territories (UTs).

Implementing and Evaluating a Telephone-Based Centralized Maternity Care Coordination Program for Pregnant Veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a comprehensive, telephonic maternity care coordination (MCC) program for all pregnant veterans enrolled for care at New England Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities that comprise the Veterans Integrated Service Network 1. Research DesignTelephone interviews were conducted with postpartum women veterans who had participated in the MCC program during their pregnancies. The program evaluation instrument assessed satisfaction and use of MCC services, prenatal education classes, and infant and maternal outcomes (e.g., newborn birthweight, insurance status, maternal depression) using both closed-ended and open-ended questions. ResultsA substantial majority (95%) of women enrolled in the MCC program expressed satisfaction with the services they received in the program. Women were most satisfied with help understanding VA maternity benefits and acquiring VA services and equipment, such as breast pumps and pregnancy-related medications. More than one-third of women noted their infants had experienced health problems since delivery, including neonatal intensive care unit hospitalizations. A majority of women planned to return to VA care in the future. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that MCC services play an important role for women veterans as they navigate both VA and non-VA care systems. MCC staff members coordinated maternity, medical, and mental health care services for women veterans. Additionally, by maintaining contact with the veteran during the postpartum period, MCC staff were able to assess the health of the mother and the infant, and refer women and their infants to medical and psychosocial services in the community as needed.

A study to assess awareness about Janani Suraksha Yojana among beneficiaries of urban slums of Raipur city, Chhattisgarh

Background: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) under the overall umbrella of National Rural Health Mission has been launched from April 2005. The scheme replaces the National Maternity Benefit Scheme. It aims at increasing institutional delivery, thereby reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. The objectives of the study were to assess awareness regarding JSY and to assess role of factors contributing in awareness.Methods: A community based Cross-sectional observational study was conducted in urban slum of Raipur city among 384 mothers delivered within last one year. Study centre was Department of community medicine, Pt J.N.M. medical college Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The subjects were interviewed using a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire.Results: Majority of the study subjects were not aware about the services under JSY except for the monetary benefit. Though a very small proportion of beneficiaries know the name of the scheme, majority delivered in the health facility.Conclusions: To increase awareness regarding other components under JSY and to achieve 100% institutional delivery there is need to strengthen effective IEC along with active involvement of ASHA.

Policy and stakeholder analysis of infant and young child feeding programmes in Sri Lanka

BackgroundInfant and young child feeding practices (IYCF) play a critical role in growth and development of children. A favourable environment supported by appropriate policies and positive contributions from all stakeholders are prerequisites for achieving optimal IYCF practices. This study aimed to assess the IYCF-related policy environment and role of stakeholders in policy making in Sri Lanka, in order to identify opportunities to strengthen the policy environment to better support appropriate IYCF and reduce childhood malnutrition.MethodsWe mapped national level policy-related documents on IYCF, and conducted a stakeholder analysis of IYCF policy making. A matrix was designed to capture data from IYCF policy-related documents using a thematic approach. A narrative synthesis of data from different documents was conducted to achieve the first objective. We then conducted an analysis of technical and funding links of stakeholders who shape IYCF policies and programmes in Sri Lanka using the Net-Map technique, to achieve the second objective. A total of 35 respondents were purposively selected based on their knowledge on the topic, and individual interviews were conducted.ResultsTwenty four policies were identified that contained provisions in line with global recommendations for best-practice IYCF, marketing of breast milk substitutes, strengthening health and non-health systems, maternity benefits, inter-sectoral collaboration, capacity building, health education and supplementation. However, there is no separate, written policy on IYCF in Sri Lanka.Participants identified 56 actors involved in shaping IYCF policies and programmes through technical support, and 36 through funding support. The Government Health Sector was the most connected as well as influential, followed by development partners. Almost all actors in the networks were supportive for IYCF policies and programmes.Conclusions and recommendationsAll evidence-based recommendations are covered in related policies. However, advocacy should be targeted towards strategic support for IYCF in high-level policy documents.The stakeholder analysis confirmed a network led by the government health sector. Enhancing the multi-sectoral commitments stressed in policy documents is an opportunity to strengthen IYCF policy process in Sri Lanka.

A Basic Income for Indians: Desirability and Feasibility

While India spends about 5% of its GDP on social welfare, the bulk of this spending does not reach the poorest. Even absent corruption, which creates important leakages in the distribution system, the schemes poorly reach their targets. With the help of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and its biometric system Aadhaar, the central government is improving the efficiency of current schemes. However, the welfare system remains very costly and inefficient. To overcome these problems as well as for conceptual reasons, the development of nconditional cash transfers (UCT) have been proposed. Contrarily to job guarantee program (MGNREGS) or to food, fuel or fertilizer subsidies, UCT provide cash to their beneficiaries. In contrast with conditional cash transfers (CCT), such as free mid-day meals or the maternity benefit program, basic income —a type of UCT— does not target a specific population. What would be the advantages and drawbacks of a basic income as compared to existing schemes? How does empirical evidence support arguments in favor or against a basic income? What is the scope for a basic income, given the financial capacity of the State and the available technology? These questions will be addressed in turn, in order to assess the potential for this ambitious policy.

Working of Employees State Insurance Scheme in the State of Jammu and Kashmir: An Empirical Study

The Employees’ State Insurance Act (ESI Act) 1948 is a social welfare legislation which aims at bringing social and economic justice to poor labour class of the land. Its main purpose is labour welfare. But the labour welfare is an elastic term bearing somewhat different interpretation in one country from another according to different social customs, the degree of industrialization and the educational development of the workers. Investigation committee of the Government of India has preferred to include under welfare activities anything done for the intellectual, physical, moral and economic betterment of workers whether by employer’s, by government or by other agencies, over and above what is laid down by law or what is normally expected as a part of contractual benefits for which workers have bargained. Labour welfare is a very comprehensive term and includes everything undertaken by the state, employers and association of workers for the improvement of workers’ standard of living and the promotion of their social and economic well-being. These welfare activities need to be considerably extended so as to cover workers of every factory, industry, mines, plants and communication etc. A definite minimum standard of welfare should be laid down, which has to be observed by all employers. While the insured workmen avail of the pecuniary benefits allowed under the Act in the form of sickness, maternity, disablement and dependents benefit, the extension of medical aid and health insurance is still in a state of infancy. The establishment of well-equipped hospitals for ready medical facilities to workmen is a far off cry. Likewise, maternity and dependent benefits have proved to be ineffective. Similarly, the benefits under the Act have not been extended to seasonal factories which are, by and large scattered in the rural areas. Such an extension is vitally connected with the rural health scheme in the country as a whole. Unless the living in rural areas is not only improved but is made attractive and safer with a better prospect to live and develop their faculties, any health scheme on nationwide basis would be an exercise in futility. It is time to have a rethinking over the economic and development planning in the country. For this purpose, planning has to be in keeping with the flora and fauna of the country and to our cultural inheritance. For proper implementation of social security schemes, including those provided under the Act, a proper education-programme and consciousness in the society as a whole is necessary. Coupled with this is the active cooperation of industrialists, trade unionist and humanitarian based cadre of government employees. In the present empirical study, an attempt has been made by the researcher to analyze the working and implementation of Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESI) in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and to formulate solutions to certain key areas.

The Development Benefits of Maternity Leave

Within developing countries, studies addressing the effects of maternity benefits on fertility, infant/child health, and women’s labor force participation are limited and provide contradictory findings. Yet, knowledge regarding the implementation of maternity provisions is essential, as such policies could significantly improve women and children’s well-being. We add to this literature using fixed effects panel regression from 1999 to 2012 across 121 developing countries to explore whether different types of maternity leave policies affect infant/child mortality rates, fertility, and women’s labor force participation, and whether those effects are shaped by disparities in GDP per Capita and Secondary School Enrollment. Our findings demonstrate: (1) both infant and child mortality rates are expected to decline in countries that institute any leave policy, policies that last 12 weeks or longer, and policies that increase in duration and payment (as a percentage of total annual salary), (2) fertility is expected to decline in countries that have higher weekly paid compensation, (3) maternity leave provisions decrease fertility and infant/child mortality rates most in countries with lower GDP per capita and countries with middle-range secondary enrollment rates, and (4) labor force participation does not increase. Our results suggest that policy makers must consider the duration, compensation, and goals (addressing fertility versus mortality rates) of a policy alongside a country’s economic development and secondary school enrollment when determining which maternity leave provisions to apply within developing-country contexts.

Improving Perinatal Mental Health Care for Women Veterans: Description of a Quality Improvement Program.

Purpose We describe results from a quality improvement project undertaken to address perinatal mental healthcare for women veterans. Description This quality improvement project was conducted in a single VA healthcare system between 2012 and 2015 and included screening for depressive symptoms with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) three times during the perinatal period, a dedicated maternity care coordinator (MCC), an on-site clinical social worker, and an on-site obstetrician/gynecologist (Ob/gyn). Information on prior mental health diagnosis was collected by the MCC or Ob/gyn. The prevalence of perinatal depressive symptoms and receipt of mental healthcare among those with such symptoms are reported by presence of a pre-pregnancy mental health diagnosis. Assessment Of the 199 women who used VA maternity benefits between 2012 and 2015, 56% (n = 111) had at least one pre-pregnancy mental health diagnosis. Compared to those without a pre-pregnancy mental health diagnosis, those with such a diagnosis were more likely to be screened for perinatal depressive symptoms at least once (61.5% vs. 46.8%, p = 0.04). Prevalence of depressive symptoms was 46.7% among those with a pre-pregnancy mental health diagnosis and 19.2% among those without. Among those with a pre-pregnancy mental health diagnosis and depressive symptoms (n = 35), 88% received outpatient mental healthcare and 77% met with the clinical social worker. Among those without a pre-pregnancy mental health diagnosis and depressive symptoms (n = 8), none received outpatient mental healthcare, but 77.8% met with the clinical social worker. Conclusion Improving perinatal mental healthcare for women veterans requires a multidisciplinary approach, including on-site integrated mental healthcare.

Assess the knowledge and utilization of dr. Muthulakshmi reddy maternity benefit scheme among women receiving antenatal services in selected urban health centre at chennai.

Assess the knowledge and utilization of dr. Muthulakshmi reddy maternity benefit scheme among women receiving antenatal services in selected urban health centre at chennai.

Feminist Reflections on Labour: The 'Ethics of Care' Within Maternity Laws in India

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 has recently been passed by the Parliament of India. While this Act is a progressive step for women, there is a need to question the theoretical foundations of the law, rather than merely its consequential ramifications. Through this paper, we attempt to critique the individual rights-justice model that is integral to conceptualising maternity laws and labour laws in India. We employ a critical feminist lens to argue that such a model reproduces the public-private dichotomy and devalues the work of care within the private sphere- suggesting that it is not “transformative” labour, but “merely reproductive”. We draw from the feminist philosophy of care to argue that child-rearing must be recognised by the State as a form of labour in itself. Further, we root these theoretical suggestions in the contemporary Indian context by providing certain tangible suggestions in terms of legislative and judicial changes that would further the responsibility-care approach to the issue of maternity in the Indian legal framework. Through this paper, we argue for broadening the scope of “labour” to include the work of care-thereby creating a space for care, relationships and connectedness within the law.

Maternity Legislation in Sri Lanka: Are Women Equal, Special or Different?

Pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding are uniquely female experiences. While a woman’s role in reproduction fulfills the important social function of ensuring the continuity of the human race, it is also one which challenges her endeavour to enter the public sphere of paid employment. The creation and maintenance of a public and private divide and the setting of norms in the public sphere on the basis of male standards are barriers women have long fought to surmount. The aim of this paper is to study the laws governing maternity benefits in Sri Lanka, in order to uncover the foundations on which these laws are built. The study is normative in nature, focusing on applicable legislation in Sri Lanka. Therefore it discusses the provisions containing maternity benefits in the shop and Office Employees Act, the Maternity Benefits Ordinance and the provisions of the Establishment Codes relevant to state sector employees including university employees. The benefits studied are maternity leave, pay, nursing intervals, job security, health and safety of mother and child, paternity benefits and creche facilities. The paper then critically analyzes and compares the applicable laws. It concludes by highlighting the lack of uniformity among the legislation and investigating the likely rationales for this difference through a feminist lens focusing on the public-private divide, and the ‘equality’ and ‘different’ or ‘special’ approaches.

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016: A Critical Analysis

On 11 August 2016, amending the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, the new bill, The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced and passed in the Rajya Sabha (or Council of States), the upper house of the Parliament of India. Central aim of this article is to critically review the amendments to the bill regarding geographies of maternity leave and its associated facilities.

Parental-leave rich and parental-leave poor: Inequality in Canadian labour market based leave policies

Canada has two parental leave benefit programs for the care of a newborn or adopted child: a federal program, and, since 2006, a provincial program in Québec. Informed by a social reproduction framework, this article compares access to parental leave benefits between Québec and the rest of Canada by family income and by its two different programs. Our analysis of quantitative data reveals that maternal access to leave benefits has improved dramatically over the past decade in the province of Québec, especially for low-income households. By contrast, on average 38% of mothers in the rest of Canada are consistently excluded from maternity or parental benefits under the federal program. We argue that one key explanation for the gap in rates of access to benefits between the two programs and between families by income is difference in eligibility criteria. In Canada, parental leaves paid for by all employers and employees are unevenly supporting the social reproduction of higher earners. Our article draws attention to the need for greater public and scholarly scrutiny of social class inequality effects of parental leave policy.

The career decisions of professional women with dependent children

Purpose The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to investigate anticipated and real career decisions made by two cohorts of professional women in the UK at differing stages of the lifespan. Design/methodology/approach Career decisions made by two cohorts of professional women following the birth of their first child at different stages of the lifespan and satisfaction with these choices in retrospect were investigated. Data analysis followed a thematic approach, and comparisons between the two cohorts were made. Findings The study revealed much similarity between the two cohorts. The decisions women make regarding whether to return to work or not and the extent to which they are satisfied with their working arrangements are constrained by similar individual and organisational factors despite the 15-20 year gap. Research limitations/implications Although mothers in the UK now experience strengthened legislation concerning maternity benefits and entitlements and there have been advances in flexible working, progress in relation to supporting women in reconciling work and home life when they return to work is arguably limited. Originality/value This paper offers insights into the extent to which the career decisions made by professional women following the birth of their first child and satisfaction with these choices in retrospect have changed (or not) among two cohorts of professional women (15-20 years apart). The findings stress the importance of understanding the complex issues faced by mothers in the workforce and providing appropriate organisational support.

Reducing stunting in Bhutan: an achievable national goal.

The kingdom of Bhutan is a tiny country, landlocked between the two Asian giants of India and China, and has a population of about 762 864 (Bhutan at a glance 2014). Despite the very small size, the country has made remarkable progress towards modern development since initiating planned development in the 1960s. Bhutan has also experienced rapid progress in many of the key determinants of nutrition and health.