The Parliament House will soon be setting an example of an inclusive and supportive work environment for its women employees by establishing crèche facility on its premises. Under the direct supervision of speaker, work is in progress and a senior official has also been deputed to oversee the work.
In a letter dated 29th March, 2017, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, apprised Sumitra Mahajan, speaker of Lok Sabha, about the absence of a crèche facility at the Parliament House. In her letter, Gandhi pointed out that since over one-third of the total number of officials working in the Parliament were women, provision of creche facility was crucial. Swiftly responding to the letter, the office of the speaker notified that a crèche facility will soon be functional within the premises of Parliament House. The Ministry of Women and Child Development thanked the Speaker on Twitter.
The provisions under the ‘Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017′ state that a healthy workplace diversity is to be maintained and direct establishments to provide crèche facility.A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) as per the laid guidelines will be followed while accepting the employees’ request for crèche registrations. The 1500 sq-foot centre will be guarded by professionals, ensuring all-round development of children and will also have a separate feeding room to aid mothers.
This significant development by Government will bring in a visible impact by pushing other private establishments, central and state owned organizations to set up a crèche facility, to aid mothers. The said development may also inspire other private institutions to provide the facility for young women professionals, it is believed.
