Bengaluru: Karnataka is set to be the fifth state in India to introduce paid menstrual leave.
Female employees in the Congress-governed southern state will get one paid leave per month during their menstrual cycle.
Women working in government offices, garment industries, multinational companies, IT firms and other private sector organisations across the state will be eligible for 12 menstrual leaves a month.
BJP-led Odisha government, which came to power in the state in June 2024, announced one-day paid menstrual leave for state government and private sector employees on Independence Day last year.
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Sikkim, Kerala and Bihar are the other states to have implemented menstrual leave provision as part of workplace welfare reforms.
A Cabinet note by the Karnataka government explained the rationale behind its decision.
“The decision was taken keeping in mind the health and well-being of working women and to encourage a more inclusive and supportive work environment. The initiative also aims to spread awareness about menstrual health and ensure physical and mental comfort for women employees,” the note said.
State Law minister HK Patil said the move would greatly benefit working women.
“It will be helpful to women. The policy has been successful in other states, and we have decided to adopt it,” Patil told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
State governments apart, private sector firms such as Zomato, Swiggy, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Byju’s and Gozoop have announced paid menstrual leave.
