BENGALURU: Weeks after the state govt introduced one day of paid menstrual leave every month for employees aged 18 to 52 in the private sector, it extended the benefit to employees in the govt sector as well on Tuesday.On Oct 9, the state cabinet had approved the Menstrual Leave Policy (MLP) 2025, allowing employees in the private sector a day’s paid leave every month. The govt order to that effect was issued on Nov 12. Now, with the latest order, more than 1.5 lakh employees in the govt sector stand to benefit from this new leave policy.Tuesday’s order follows a petition filed by Bangalore Hotels Association in Karnataka high court, challenging the govt’s initial menstrual leave notification.The association argued in the petition that the rule was discriminatory because it excluded women in govt services, even though the state is one of the largest employers of women.An official order has been issued to provide menstrual leave benefits to women govt employees in the state. This leave will also apply to contractual workers. It is expected to help protect the health of women employees and improve their mental strength,” labour minister Santosh Lad said.Medical certificate not required to avail leaveAccording to the new directive, women employees are not required to submit any medical certificate to avail the leave. However, menstrual leave cannot be merged with any other leave category. Offices must maintain a separate record of menstrual leave in the attendance register.
