27. Maternity benefit. -

(1) Every woman employed in an establishment who has been continuously employed in such establishment or in establishments belonging to the owner of such establishment for a period of not less than six months preceding the date of her delivery, shall be entitled to receive and the employer shall be liable to make to her, a payment of a maternity benefit at a rate for every day during the six weeks immediately preceding and including the day of her delivery and for each day of the six weeks following her delivery as may be prescribed by the State Government : Provided that no such payment shall be made for any day on which she attends work and receives payment therefor during the six weeks preceding her delivery. (2) The manner in which the maternity benefit shall be payable may be prescribed by the State Government.