Karnataka High Court Withdraws Interim Stay on Menstrual Policy, Hearing on Wednesday
The court had stayed the policy in a petition filed by Bengaluru Hotels Association which said the policy lacked statutory backing under the labour laws
BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday withdrew its interim stay on the government’s menstrual policy, which allowed women employees a paid leave every month during their menstrual cycle. The court posted the hearing to Wednesday and said it would pass a fresh order.
The government’s policy was approved by the Cabinet on October 9 and the relevant notification was issued on November 20.
The court had stayed the policy in a petition filed by Bengaluru Hotels Association which said the policy lacked statutory backing under the labour laws.
The association contended the stakeholders were not consulted before the government announced the policy which it said burdened employers financially and operationally. The association wanted the government to amend the relevant labour laws before implementing the policy.
Advocate-General Shashikiran Shetty told the High Court that the notification was on the lines of Supreme Court orders and as per the recommendations of the Law Commission. He appealed to the court to not stay the policy without hearing the government’ case.