Section 24. Right of absence in pregnancy

(1) If any woman employed in an establishment who is pregnant gives notice either orally or in writing in the prescribed form to the employer that she expects to be delivered of a child within six weeks from the date of such notice, the employer shall permit her, if she so desires, to absent herself from work upto the day of her delivery: Provided that the employer may, on undertaking to defray the cost of such examination, require the woman to be examined by a qualified medical practitioner or midwife, and if the woman refuses to submit to such examination or is certified on such examination as not pregnant or not likely to be delivered of a child within six weeks he may refuse such permission. (2) The examination referred to in the proviso to sub-section (1) shall, if the woman so desires, be carried out by a woman.