(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, every woman employed in an establishment shall be entitled to, and her employer shall be liable for, the payment of maternity benefit at the rate of her wages last paid during the following periods:
(a) six weeks immediately preceding and including the day on which she delivers the child;
(b) eight weeks immediately following the day she delivers of the child;
(c) four weeks’ additional leave in the case of any other medical complications in cases where the life of mother or child is at risk, as certified by a medical practitioner; and
(d) four weeks in the event of miscarriage or medical termination of pregnancy, as certified by a medical practitioner.
Provided that a woman shall not be entitled to maternity benefit unless she has been employed in the establishment of the employer from whom she claims maternity benefit for a period of not less than four months immediately preceding the day on which she delivers the child.
Provided further that in the event of premature birth, all un-availed pre-natal leave shall transfer to the post-natal period. In the event of postmature birth, the post-natal leave period, in no way, shall be less than six weeks. In case of post mature births, the pre-natal leave period shall be extended accordingly.