Dhaka, June 29 -- The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why legal provisions limiting maternity leave and benefits for working women should not be declared inconsistent with the Constitution.

The HC bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md Ashif Hasan passed the order after hearing a petition.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain within four weeks why Section 46(1) and 46(2) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, and Rules 197(1) and 197(1A) of the Bangladesh Service Rules (BSR), which restrict maternity leave and benefits, should not be declared unconstitutional.

Cabinet Secretary, two secretaries of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, t...