Karnataka’s menstrual leave order challenged in High Court

Karnataka govt mandated one day paid menstrual leave monthly; Bangalore Hotels Association challenged it in HC citing legal limits and discrimination

The Karnataka government’s recent directive mandating paid menstrual leave has sparked legal opposition from the hospitality sector. On November 12, 2025, the Labour Department issued an order requiring establishments covered under several labour laws—including the Factories Act, Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, Plantations Labour Act, Beedi and Cigar Workers Act, and Motor Transport Workers Act—to provide one day of paid menstrual leave each month. This amounts to 12 days annually for all women employees, including permanent, contractual, and outsourced staff.

The move was hailed by many as progressive, aimed at improving workplace inclusivity and supporting women’s health. However, the Bangalore Hotels Association (BHA) has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the directive. The association contends that the cited labour laws do not empower the state government to impose such a mandate and argues that leave policies should remain an internal administrative matter for individual organisations.

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 The BHA further claimed that the order is discriminatory, pointing out that the State itself, despite being one of the largest employers of women, has not extended similar benefits to its own workforce in government departments. This, they argue, undermines the fairness of the directive.

 The case now places the spotlight on the balance between progressive labour reforms and the limits of government authority. The High Court’s decision will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for how workplace policies addressing gender-specific needs are implemented across sectors in India.

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