Kerala High Court orders state to decide on paid menstrual leave for KSRTC women conductors
The Kerala High Court, sitting as Justice Viju Abraham, directed the state government to decide within three months on a petition seeking two days of paid menstrual leave each month for women conductors employed by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). The petition was filed by three conductors – Asha SS, S. Sreena and M. Sajala – together with the Forum for Justice and the KSRTC Employees and Family Welfare Society. The court noted that the conductors’ duties require long hours of standing and movement, often without access to clean toilets or rest facilities, and described menstrual leave as a progressive welfare measure consistent with Articles 21, 15(3) and 42 of the Indian Constitution. The petitioners highlighted that KSRTC employs about 3,000 women, that Karnataka already grants one day of menstrual leave per month to women employees, and that Kerala universities have introduced menstrual leave for female students. The court instructed the government to formulate an appropriate policy with any necessary safeguards.
Entities: Asha SS · Justice Viju Abraham · Kerala High Court · Kerala State Road Transport Corporation · S. Sreena
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The petition was filed by three women conductors – Asha SS, S. Sreena and M. Sajala – together with the Forum for Justice and the KSRTC Employees and Family Welfare Society. (4561a454-003e-4a8f-833d-b9176201fc32, 82c7a7de-4502-44ba-8af6-548e6690cfde)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Kerala High Court directed the state government to decide within three months on a petition for two days of paid menstrual leave per month for KSRTC women conductors. (4561a454-003e-4a8f-833d-b9176201fc32, 82c7a7de-4502-44ba-8af6-548e6690cfde)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The court described menstrual leave as a progressive welfare measure consistent with Articles 21, 15(3) and 42 of the Indian Constitution. (4561a454-003e-4a8f-833d-b9176201fc32)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Karnataka grants one day of menstrual leave each month to all women employees. (82c7a7de-4502-44ba-8af6-548e6690cfde)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Justice Viju Abraham observed that the nature of a KSRTC conductor’s job makes it particularly difficult for women to work during menstruation. (4561a454-003e-4a8f-833d-b9176201fc32)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The court instructed the state to formulate an appropriate menstrual relief policy with any necessary conditions and safeguards. (4561a454-003e-4a8f-833d-b9176201fc32)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] KSRTC employs around 3,000 women employees. (82c7a7de-4502-44ba-8af6-548e6690cfde)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Kerala has introduced menstrual leave for women students in universities. (82c7a7de-4502-44ba-8af6-548e6690cfde)