Bengaluru, Oct 11 (NationPress) Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad stated on Saturday that firms failing to adhere to the state's menstrual leave policy, the guidelines for which are currently being developed, will be subject to penalties.

In a media briefing at his residence in Bengaluru, the minister remarked: "It is imperative that the government's legislation is not only enacted but also respected by all. Organizations should perceive this not just as a legal obligation but also as a matter of humanity. We will engage in further discussions to ensure effective implementation of this policy in the upcoming days."

When queried about the potential reluctance of companies to hire female employees due to the menstrual leave policy, the minister replied: "Let us first implement the policy and subsequently assess its advantages and disadvantages. In fact, numerous companies are already adopting such policies."

He noted that a bill pertaining to the menstrual leave policy would either be presented in the Legislative Assembly or enforced via an ordinance.

"Employers must possess the sensitivity and common sense to acknowledge that their female workforce requires menstrual leave. They must understand the hurdles that women encounter. Should there be grievances regarding the misuse of excessive leave, we will investigate and address those concerns accordingly," he emphasized.

Highlighting the crucial role of women in both society and families, the minister stated: "Women juggle responsibilities both at home and in the workplace. They experience mental strain, especially middle-class working women who face numerous challenges. In affluent households, women often have domestic assistance. If working women are granted just a day's leave, they can return the next day and perform at an even higher level of efficiency."

On behalf of the committee that researched the menstrual leave policy, the Associate Dean of Christ University mentioned: "We completed a comprehensive study prior to endorsing the menstrual leave policy. Every standard and dimension was meticulously evaluated before our recommendations were made."

The Congress-led government of Karnataka on Thursday approved a proposal to grant female employees one day of paid menstrual leave each month.

After the cabinet meeting, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil announced this decision during a media interaction at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.