. NEW DELHI: Frowning at an advocate’s repeated attempts through PILs to seek paid two-day monthly menstrual leave for female workers, Supreme Court said Friday that such a move could create a psychological barrier among women that they are inferior to men as they can’t work when they are menstruating. A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said, “Please understand the long-term impact of such a move. Affirmative action for women is constitutionally recognised. The more unattractive the human resource, the less is the possibility of consumption in the job market.” “We can adjudicate it from the rights’ perspective. But look at the perspective of the job model. Will an employer be happy if an employee takes leave every month? You want to create such a situation where employers will be reluctant to give women jobs,” the bench said.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Israel says struck over 200 targets in Iran; drone hits residential apartment in Beirut’About to surrender’: Trump makes big claim on Iran, says US ‘got rid of a cancer threatening us all’2 Indians killed, 10 injured in Iranian drone attack in Oman, says MEA However, it said, “It is for the govt to take a call in framing model policy…”SC warns petitioner not to pursue issue On Feb 24, 2023, SC had asked the govt to examine taking a policy decision on this issue after studying the need and the possible fallout of employers getting dissuaded to engage a large female workforce. For petitioner S M Tripathi, senior advocate M R Shamshad said no action has been taken yet despite lapse of nearly three years. Shamshad said Bihar had done it since 1992 and Karnataka has implemented it in schools. There are some private companies which have voluntarily implemented a menstrual leave policy for female workers. CJI Surya Kant said, “If they do it voluntarily, it is welcome. But the moment it is made compulsory, you do not know how much damage you will cause to their careers. Nobody will give them responsibilities. On the judicial side, day-to-day trials cannot be assigned to them.” The bench warned petitioner Tripathi of adverse order against him if he approached the court on this issue for a third time. His petitions, raising the same issue, were disposed of twice in Feb 2023 and July 2024. In Feb 2023, Spain had become the first EU country to introduce menstrual or period leave of 3-5 days, salary for which is paid by the govt. The erstwhile Soviet Union had taken a policy decision to pay female workers who were absent from work because of pain during the menstrual period. Japan had enacted a law in this regard in 1947 and South Korea in 1953.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Would Never Recover’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan, Cites BrahMos Strike In Op SindoorPM Modi Invokes Nehru To Accuse Congress Of Spreading Misinformation During US-Iran War CrisisMajor Diplomatic Win For India: Iran Envoy Fathali Signals Safe Passage For Indian Ships At Hormuz2 Indians Killed, 10 Injured In Oman Drone Attack; MEA Shares Latest On Citizens In GulfWhite House Tug-Of-War Over How To Declare Victory; Is Putin The Biggest Winner In Iran War?TMC Bid To Meet President Murmu Gets Snubbed By Rashtrapati Bhavan After Protocol ControversyAs LPG Shortage Panic Spreads, Centre Urges Citizens Not To Hoard Cylinders And Opt For PNGMenstrual Leave Debate Explodes As Supreme Court Warns Of Hiring Bias Against Women’Glad India Taking Initiative’: Cong MP Shashi Tharoor Lauds PM Modi’s Outreach To Iran PresidentEAM Jaishankar Holds Fourth Call With Iran Foreign Minister Amid Rising Strait Of Hormuz Tensions123Photostories10 ways to add Moringa to your daily meals in March and why it’s the perfect timeFrom undergoing seven painful IVF procedures to a pregnancy photoshoot before her miscarriage, Sambhavna Seth opens up about her difficult IVF journeyHow to identify sweet coconut water before buying a coconut6 easy kitchen hacks to clean gas burners and reduce LPG wastageQueues, panic and pressure: How Middle East tensions triggered India’s LPG alarmChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares how to recreate the most searched recipes at home5 luxury cars with massaging seats that make long drives relaxingEating too fast may be hurting your digestion and weight: Doctors explain the 20-minute ruleChefs share 5 tips which can make any boring meal super tasty7 Indian meals that require very little LPG to cook123Hot PicksGold Price PredictionIndian RupeeStock Market TodayGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingPatrick MahomesBrittany Mahomes Net WorthWilt ChamberlainMovsar EvloevMichael BispingLPG Crisis IndiaMadison Pettis GirlfriendIran US WarIPL 2026 Chennai Super KingsMiddle East War
NEW DELHI: Frowning at an advocate’s repeated attempts through PILs to seek paid two-day monthly menstrual leave for female workers, Supreme Court said Friday that such a move could create a psychological barrier among women that they are inferior to men as they can’t work when they are menstruating. A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said, “Please understand the long-term impact of such a move. Affirmative action for women is constitutionally recognised. The more unattractive the human resource, the less is the possibility of consumption in the job market.” “We can adjudicate it from the rights’ perspective. But look at the perspective of the job model. Will an employer be happy if an employee takes leave every month? You want to create such a situation where employers will be reluctant to give women jobs,” the bench said. However, it said, “It is for the govt to take a call in framing model policy…”SC warns petitioner not to pursue issue On Feb 24, 2023, SC had asked the govt to examine taking a policy decision on this issue after studying the need and the possible fallout of employers getting dissuaded to engage a large female workforce. For petitioner S M Tripathi, senior advocate M R Shamshad said no action has been taken yet despite lapse of nearly three years. Shamshad said Bihar had done it since 1992 and Karnataka has implemented it in schools. There are some private companies which have voluntarily implemented a menstrual leave policy for female workers. CJI Surya Kant said, “If they do it voluntarily, it is welcome. But the moment it is made compulsory, you do not know how much damage you will cause to their careers. Nobody will give them responsibilities. On the judicial side, day-to-day trials cannot be assigned to them.”
The bench warned petitioner Tripathi of adverse order against him if he approached the court on this issue for a third time. His petitions, raising the same issue, were disposed of twice in Feb 2023 and July 2024. In Feb 2023, Spain had become the first EU country to introduce menstrual or period leave of 3-5 days, salary for which is paid by the govt. The erstwhile Soviet Union had taken a policy decision to pay female workers who were absent from work because of pain during the menstrual period. Japan had enacted a law in this regard in 1947 and South Korea in 1953.
