BENGALURU: Karnataka cabinet, chaired by CM Siddaramaiah, Thursday approved a policy granting one paid menstrual leave every month (12 in a year) to women employees across all sectors – including government offices, garment factories, IT firms, MNCs, and private industrial units. The initiative is expected to benefit over 50 lakh women in the state, and the policy is likely to be notified soon.CM Siddaramaiah described the policy as a step toward creating a more humane, understanding, and inclusive workplace. With this move, Karnataka joins Bihar and Odisha in granting menstrual leave to women employees. While Bihar restricts the benefit to women government staff (two days per month), Odisha offers 12 such leaves annually to women employees across all sectors.Law Commission of Karnataka drafted the Karnataka Menstrual Leave and Hygiene Bill, 2025, proposing 12 days of leave for working women and two days every month for students. Of the 75 stakeholder responses received, 56 supported the move. The draft prescribes a fine of up to Rs 5,000 for employers who deny leave or discriminate against menstruating employees.According to the government’s Periodic Labour Force Survey, Karnataka has one of the highest female labour force participation rates in the country, at 31.5%. Bengaluru, with a population of 14 million, is home to thousands of startups and MNCs such as Walmart and Google, as well as major Indian tech firms like Infosys and Wipro. Labour minister Santosh Lad said the policy had been worked out over the past year. “Women shoulder multiple responsibilities, from household chores to caring for children. During menstruation, they experience physical and mental stress. A committee had recommended six days of leave annually, but the government decided to grant 12 days of paid leave annually,” he added.