Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad said the state is reviewing a proposal to provide six days of paid menstrual leave per year for working women in the private and government sectors.
“We are planning to implement a policy, and for that, we formed a committee that recommended providing six days of paid menstrual leave per year. We are now reviewing the proposal,” Lad said in an interview.
The state government has also formed an 18-member panel tasked with drafting the Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products bill.
Menstrual Allowances Around the World
Menstrual leave, a policy that allows women to take time off work during their menstrual period, is a relatively new concept in many countries. While it’s still a contentious topic in some regions, there’s a growing awareness of the physical and emotional challenges women face during menstruation, leading to a push for more inclusive workplace policies.
Countries like Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea have implemented menstrual leave policies. These policies often provide women with a few days off each month to manage menstrual symptoms like pain, cramps, and fatigue. In some cases, women are also entitled to menstrual allowances to cover expenses related to their period.
However, the implementation of such policies varies widely across countries. Some policies are mandatory, while others are optional or left to the discretion of employers. The length of menstrual leave also differs, with some countries offering a fixed number of days per month and others allowing women to take time off as needed.
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