The Karnataka government on Thursday approved the Menstrual Leave Policy-2025, under which women employees working in government offices, private companies and industrial sectors will get one day of paid menstrual leave per month, taking a total of 12 days in a year. This policy was discussed in the cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. Menstrual Leave Policy (MLP), 2025 is likely to be implemented. The policy, which had an initial target of six days, will be implemented across various industries such as IT, garment factories and large companies.
Read this also: Bigg Boss Kannada 12 | Bigg Boss Kannada got relief due to DK Shivakumar’s intervention, seal removed from the studio
Employees will be given one day monthly leave every month, which will be considered as paid leave. It will be mandatory for all employers in public and private sectors to adopt this policy. Along with one day of paid leave every month, every female employee will get 12 paid leaves every year. With this initiative, Karnataka has become the first Indian state to provide menstrual leave, a unique leave keeping in mind the broader aspects of women’s health. This initiative is also a great relief for women employees as they do not need to show their medical certificates or give any explanation for ill health, and can maintain confidentiality about their health condition.
According to activists and medical professionals, the move is a major step towards addressing menstruation-related misconceptions in the workplace and promoting good women’s health. The success of this policy may encourage other state governments and companies to implement it as well. Some scholars have also warned about bias in the workplace and recommended implementing safeguards.
Read this also: On the demand for separate Lingayat religion, Siddaramaiah said- People’s stand is my stand.
Karnataka Labor Minister Santosh Lad said that the department was working on this for the last one year. He said, “Many objections came, discussions were held between departments. Women are under a lot of stress, so people who work for 10-12 hours should be given a day off. So we wanted to take a progressive step and give them a day off. This is a progressive step. We will not monitor the issues, they will have the option of taking one day off in a month. I hope it will not be misused. If there is a need to add something in the rules, So we will do that in the coming days.”