Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Nov 13: All working women aged 18–52 in permanent, contractual and outsourced jobs in Karnataka will now be entitled to one day of menstrual leave per month, as per a Government Order issued on November 12.

“Employers have been directed to provide 12 paid leaves per year to all women employees aged 18–52 in establishments coming under the 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 stated.

The Shops and Commercial Establishments Act also covers IT and ITES companies, ensuring women in these sectors benefit from the policy. The Government Order comes a month after the state Cabinet cleared the Menstrual Leave Policy 2025, which provides 12 menstrual leaves per year—one leave per month.

The policy was formulated by an 18-member committee headed by Dr Sapna S of Christ (Deemed-to-be University). It initially recommended six menstrual leaves per year, but the labour department later upgraded the provision to 12 before submitting it to the government.

According to the government order, women employees must use the menstrual leave in the same month it is allotted and cannot carry over the leave to the next month.

The order also specifies that women do not need to submit any medical certificate while availing themselves of the menstrual leave.