Paid menstrual leave written on wood blocks (Representative image)
Credit: iStock Photo
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has extended its policy granting one menstrual leave per month to working women in the private sector aged between 18-52 to government employees too.
In its order dated December 2, the government has noted that women employees aged 18-52 are eligible to avail of menstrual leaves. As per the order, women employees need not provide any medical certificate to avail of these leaves and it has to be updated in a register.
On October 09, the state Cabinet approved the menstrual leave policy, granting one menstrual leave per month (12 per year) to all menstruating working women in government and private sectors.
Following this, an order was passed on November 12, wherein the government had mandated 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 to provide menstrual leaves to women employees aged 18-52.
Tuesday’s order comes after the Bangalore Hotels Association in Karnataka High Court, challenging the government’s initial menstrual leave notification.
The policy is based on a report by an 18-member committee headed by Dr Sapna S of Christ (deemed-to-be) University, which had recommended 6 menstrual leaves per year but this was later changed to 12 days by the Labour Department.