In Karnataka, women employees to get one day menstrual leave every month

The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved a new menstrual leave policy for women working in both government and the private sector, including garment units, multinational and technology companies becoming the first state to introduce a comprehensive policy on the subject.

Women will now be eligible to claim a day’s paid leave in a month.

This comes as the state government recognizes the leave as women’s rights and welfare at the workplace. They can claim it without any fear of consequences. Though there is no law of the Parliament, a few states and private companies already have such a policy in place, Karnataka’s Cabinet note said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government stood committed to dignity and wellbeing at work. “Through the Menstrual Leave Policy 2025, women employees across Karnataka will now receive one paid leave day every month - a step towards a more humane, understanding, and inclusive workplace,” he said in a post on X.

Last year, Odisha introduced a menstrual leave policy for women workers in both the state government and private offices. Bihar has such a policy but only for government employees while students in Kerala’s government-run universities have a 2% exemption in attendance. In Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar women police personnel get a special leave during their periods.

Individual tech companies and startups have their own menstrual leave policy. Food delivery company Zomato is said to be the first to introduce such a policy five years ago followed by Byju’s and Swiggy, and construction major L&T.

According to a comment on microblogging site X, an expert committee that went into the subject has highlighted the difficulties faced by women during menstruation.

Congress MP Hibi Eden (Ernakulam) had come up with a private member Bill on the Right to Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products.