Karnataka HC Stays Menstrual Leave Policy for Industries

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday stayed a state government notification requiring industrial establishments to provide one day of paid menstrual leave each month to women employees, following petitions from industry groups that argued the policy was issued without proper consultation.

Justice Jyoti Mulimani of the High Court issued the interim order during a hearing on a challenge filed by the Bangalore Hotels Association and Avirata AFL Connectivity Systems. The petitioners contended that the Karnataka government lacked the authority to mandate such leave through an executive directive and failed to consult affected stakeholders before issuing the rule. They also claimed the policy imposed undue financial burdens on employers and violated constitutional principles of equality under Article 14.

The notification in question, issued on November 9, extended one day of paid menstrual leave per month to women aged 18 to 52 working in permanent, contractual, or outsourced roles. It applied to establishments registered under several labor laws, including the Factories Act of 1948, the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act of 1961, the Plantation Labour Act of 1951, the...