NEWS – The Labour Department of Karnataka is considering a proposal to introduce a six-day annual paid menstrual leave in the private sector. The government has now opened a feedback period, seeking consultation from stakeholders and the general public on the matter.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The proposal follows the recommendations of an 18-member committee led by Sapna Mohan, an associate dean at the School of Law, Christ (Deemed to be University). This committee, after consulting with various groups, recommended the introduction of a six-day paid menstrual leave. In addition, the committee proposed a Bill on the Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products.

Previous Menstrual Leave Policies in India

• Bihar was the first state in India to introduce menstrual leave for government employees, beginning in 1992.
• Kerala extended menstrual leave to girls attending State universities in 2023.
• Earlier this year, Odisha announced a menstrual leave policy that applies to both public and private sector employees.

Criticism of the Proposed Leave Policy

• Several management groups have opposed the menstrual leave policy, raising concerns about its impact on workplace operations. However, the committee has attempted to find a middle ground by proposing six days of paid leave instead of one day per month.
• Some members of the committee have argued that calling it “menstrual leave” may perpetuate stigma around menstruation. As a result, they suggested that the leave be categorized as “special leave” to avoid negative connotations.

International Perspective and Comparisons

• While Karnataka’s proposal suggests a more extensive leave period, the globally accepted standard tends to favor one-day leave per month. In countries like Japan and Indonesia, one-day menstrual leave policies are in place, and this has been recognized as a reasonable accommodation for workers.