New Delhi, Sep 29 (IANS): Aiming to create an equitable work-life balance for employees, Telenor India has adopted a six-month paid maternity leave policy effective from January 1, 2016, a company statement said here on Tuesday.

The Norwegian telecom service provider has adopted this maternity leave policy as a minimum standard globally across its 13 markets. Approximately 36 percent of Telenor's global workforce are women, the statement said.

In India, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi also wants the companies to extend the maternity leave policy to eight months from the existing three months.

"With the goal of ensuring that our organisation better reflects the world we live in, and in order to attract, retain, and develop female leadership talent, we are instituting a minimum six-month paid maternity leave as standard for our employees everywhere we operate," Sigve Brekke, the president and chief executive officer (CEO), Telenor Group, said.

"It is our goal to attract and retain the best of Indian talent, male or female. We are confident the revised maternity leave policy will make Telenor not only a very attractive place to work for men and women, but also a place in which women can build careers and continue to fill the ranks of our leadership," Vivek Sood, CEO of Telenor India said.