​As Sikkim government announces 1 year of maternity leave, let's look at the countries that provide the best maternity leave by law​

In a move that has been received well in the country, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday announced his government will give 12-month maternity leave to its employees. Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Sikkim State Civil Service Officers' Association (SSCSOA) the CM said the details will be updated soon. As of now maternity leave is given as the Maternity Benefit Act 1961, according to which a working woman is entitled to 6 months, or 26 weeks, of paid maternity leave.

While this move by the Himalayan state has received a warm welcome, let's look at the other best maternity leaves offered by countries across the world.

In Lithuania, both parents get leaves after a child is born. While the mother gets 18 months or 1.5 years of maternity leave, the father gets 4 weeks off. Of this, 54 weeks are fully paid.

​10 online activities every 15-year-old school-going kid should know​

The German government allows unpaid leaves for up to 3 years. It also has a maternity protection period, which is an important part of the maternity leave, which begins 6 weeks before the birth of the child and continues 8 weeks after the birth.

​​Full-time children: Know what it is and why is it trending in China​

In Estonia, moms get paid maternity leave of 140 days. Known as rasedus- ja sünnituspuhkus, this leave is allowed in the 30th to 36th week of pregnancy.

Hungary offers maternity leave of 24 weeks and a mother can avail of maternity benefits for 3 years. Mothers get infant care allowance and birth grants. Infant care allowance is granted for 168 days following the birth and birth grant can be claimed up to six months after birth.

In Spain, moms can take maternity leaves for 16 weeks after the birth of a child; this can be extended to 18-20 weeks if twins or triplets are born. Fathers can also take leave for up to 5 weeks.

The Swedish government allows 480 days of parental leaves to both parents. In case of multiple births, 180 days of extra leaves are granted.

In Belgium, women are allowed 15 weeks of maternity leave which they can take at a time, in parts, or even for a period of up to 10 months.