Women in the age group of 18 to 52 are eligible to seek menstrual leave.
| Photo Credit: file photo
In what brings cheer and relief to the female workforce across Karnataka, the State government on Wednesday notified the menstrual leave policy, allowing one day leave a month, paving the way for its implementation.
Women in the age group of 18 to 52 are eligible to seek menstrual leave, and it will be applicable for permanent, contract or outsourced workforce. The policy will be applicable to the workforce employed in establishments registered under Factories Act, 1948, Karnataka Shops and Establishments Act, 1961, Plantation Workers Act 1951, Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966, and Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961.
The GO does not specify anything on leaves for government employees or anganwadi workers or Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA).
An expert committee that deliberated on the policy earlier had recommended six days annually, which the government increased to 12 when it was approved in the Cabinet. In their feedback, four employers have suggested 12 leaves annually.
A GO issued by the Labour Department said that the menstrual leave is being extended considering health aspects, and to increase efficiency, besides increasing women participation in the workforce. As per the conditions imposed in the GO, there will be no provision to carry over the leave to the next month and women are not mandated to provide any medical certificate to use the leave.
Feedback was received from individuals, organisations and trade unions among others, of which 56 backed the policy. Twenty six of those who supported the policy were from the management, the GO said.
Welcoming the GO, Divya Biradar, convener, Karnataka Domestic Workers’ Union, affiliated to AITUC, said: “However, the government should take immediate measures to formalise the policy. A legislation is stronger than a government order.”
She also said that the policy has to be amended to include a vast section of women workforce engaged in domestic work, agricultural and construction work, apart from scheme workers such as anganwadis and ASHAs.
The fixing of age limit has also been objected to. A senior executive in a reputed organisation said: “Women would not have menopause before 52 in all cases. The policy should accommodate the interest of those people too.”
Published – November 13, 2025 12:46 am IST
