Maternity Leave and the Unorganised Sector: A Field-Based Socio-Legal Analysis

Author(s)	Ms. Ramavathu Naga Malleswari, Prof. Dr. V. Vijay Lakshmi
Country	India
Abstract	India’s unorganised sector accounts for nearly 90% of its total workforce and employs a substantial proportion of working women. Despite constitutional guarantees and statutory frameworks, maternity leave remains an elusive right for most women in the unorganised sector. This article undertakes a socio-legal analysis of maternity leave policies in India with special reference to field-level observations and challenges faced by unorganised women workers. It evaluates the legislative landscape, highlights systemic exclusion, and draws upon empirical insights to reveal the lived experiences of women denied maternity rights. The article concludes with actionable policy suggestions that focus on expanding coverage, improving awareness, and integrating maternity protection within the larger ambit of social security reforms.
Keywords	Maternity Leave, Unorganised Sector, Women Workers, Social Security, Labour Law, Gender Justice, India, Informal Economy, Field Study, Legal Rights, etc.
Field	Sociology > Administration / Law / Management
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 4, July-August 2025
Published On	2025-07-11
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i04.50527
Short DOI	https://doi.org/g9s9ng

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