Women workers in Karnataka can now take 12 menstrual leave days annually

Women employees across Karnataka are now entitled to 12 days of menstrual leave a year, after the state government formally notified the new policy on Wednesday. The order, issued by the Labour Department, makes Karnataka one of the few Indian states to introduce a dedicated menstrual leave framework for the private sector, The Hindu reported.

The notification allows one day’s leave per month for women aged 18 to 52, covering permanent, contractual, and outsourced employees. The rule applies to establishments registered under several labour laws, including the Factories Act, 1948, the Karnataka Shops and Establishments Act, 1961, the Plantation Workers Act, 1951, the Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966, and the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961.

The government said the measure aims to improve health outcomes, workforce participation, and efficiency among women employees. The leave cannot be carried over to subsequent months, and women are not required to produce medical certificates to avail it.

The policy, however, does not cover government employees, Anganwadi staff, or Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). Officials said the rule applies only to workplaces governed by the specified labour acts, leaving out a large section of informal workers.

An expert committee that initially proposed the policy had recommended six days of menstrual leave annually, but the state cabinet increased it to 12 days following consultations with employers. Out of the 56 stakeholders who submitted feedback supporting the proposal, 26 were employers, the government order noted.

Labour groups welcomed the move but urged further inclusion. Divya Biradar, convener of the Karnataka Domestic Workers’ Union, said, “The government should take immediate measures to formalise the policy. A legislation is stronger than a government order.” She added that the scheme should be extended to domestic, agricultural, and construction workers, as well as scheme-based staff such as Anganwadi and ASHA workers.

Some employers have also questioned the fixed upper age limit of 52 years. “Women do not always reach menopause by that age; the policy should consider those cases too,” said a senior HR executive at a Bengaluru-based company.

The notification comes amid renewed debate on menstrual leave across India, as companies and state governments revisit workplace policies to make them more inclusive. Kerala and Bihar already provide similar provisions for women in government service, while several private firms have introduced menstrual leave voluntarily.

Karnataka’s decision could set a precedent for broader reforms in the formal sector, but its long-term impact will depend on enforcement and inclusivity across industries.