Overview
- A Government Order issued on November 12 grants one paid day of menstrual leave each month to eligible women aged 18 to 52.
- The policy covers permanent, contract and outsourced employees in establishments registered under the Factories, Shops and Establishments, Plantation Workers, Beedi and Cigar Workers, and Motor Transport Workers laws.
- Use-it-or-lose-it rules apply for each month, and no medical certificate is required to avail the leave.
- The order does not address government employees or scheme workers such as anganwadi and ASHA personnel.
- An expert panel initially proposed six days a year, the Cabinet set it at 12, consultations recorded 56 supporters including 26 from management, and unions are urging legislation, wider inclusion and a review of the 52-year age cap.