Good news for women employees, the Karnataka government has introduced a menstrual leave policy, granting working women aged 18 to 52 one paid day off each month. The move ensures women can take a day’s paid leave to rest during menstruation.
The policy covers permanent, contractual, and outsourced employees. As per the government order issued on November 12, employers are required to provide 12 paid menstrual leaves annually. The rule applies to establishments governed by various labour laws, including the Factories Act.
“Employers have been directed to provide 12 paid leaves per year to all women employees aged 18-52 in establishments coming under Factories Act, 1948, Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, Plantation Workers Act, 1951, Beedi Cigar Workers (condition of employment) Act, 1966 and Motor Vehicle Workers Act, 1961,” the order said.
The Shops and Commercial Establishments Act also covers IT and ITES companies. The government order was issued about a month after the state Cabinet approved the Menstrual Leave Policy 2025, which provides women with 12 menstrual leaves per year, one each month. The policy, initially drafted by an 18-member committee led by Dr. Sapna S. of Christ (Deemed-to-be University), had proposed six leaves annually, but the Labour Department later revised it to 12 before submitting it to the government. According to the order, menstrual leave must be availed within the same month and cannot be carried over to the following month.
