CDLU contractual teachers seek maternity, paternity, childcare leave rights
The Contractual Teachers Association at Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU) called on the university administration to extend maternity, paternity and childcare leave benefits to part-time and contractual teaching staff on December 30.
In a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, the association highlighted the essential role these teachers played in maintaining academic standards, despite not being entitled to key leave benefits that were available to regular employees.
Dr Rakesh Kumar Saini, vice-president of the CDLU Contractual Teachers Association, emphasised that part-time and contractual staff contributed significantly to the university's functioning, yet they were denied fundamental rights such as maternity leave for women, paternity leave for men and childcare leave for women teachers. He pointed out that these rights were guaranteed under the Maternity Benefits Act of 1961 and the Constitution of India, which ensured equal rights and protections for all workers, regardless of their employment status.
The association also referred to landmark court rulings, which affirmed that even contractual employees were entitled to maternity, paternity and childcare leave. One of the cases cited was a 2019 ruling from the Uttarakhand High Court, which stated that denying childcare leave (CCL) to a contractual employee violates a child's rights under the Constitution.
Saini further said a 2019 notification from the Haryana Government granted maternity leave to women working under the state's outsourcing policies, yet part-time teachers at the CDLU had not been granted similar benefits, leaving them without critical support during pregnancy and early childcare.
Saini argued that denying maternity leave to women teachers was not only a violation of their fundamental rights but also an attack on their dignity as mothers. He stressed that maternity leave was essential for women to manage the physical challenges of pregnancy and the early stages of motherhood. The association also referred to court decisions that reinforced the right to paternity leave, recognising the importance of fathers being present for the birth and early care of their children.
The association has requested the university provide maternity leave for women part-time teachers, at least 15 days of paternity leave for male teachers, and childcare leave for women teachers. They also asked for assurances that taking these leaves would not negatively impact teachers' tenure, salary, or future contract renewals.
The Contractual Teachers Association expressed hope that the university administration would act swiftly on these requests, creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
Saini said ensuring these rights would help promote social justice, protect family well-being and ensure fairness for all teaching staff at the CDLU.
