Indian Parliament Introduces Key Employee Rights and Social Reform Bills: Right to Disconnect and Menstrual Benefits Legislation

A private member's bill proposing employees' right to ignore work communications outside office hours was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday.

In New Delhi, lawmakers can present bills on subjects they believe warrant government legislation. With few exceptions, most private member bills are withdrawn following government responses.

NCP representative Supriya Sule presented the "Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025," which aims to establish an authority for employee welfare. This legislation would grant workers the right to disconnect from work-related communications beyond regular hours and during holidays.

The proposed law specifically affirms employees' right to decline responding to calls and emails outside working hours.

Additionally, Congress MP Kadiyam Kavya introduced the "Menstrual Benefits Bill, 2024," designed to provide special workplace accommodations for female employees during menstruation periods.

This legislation seeks to establish a legal framework ensuring specific benefits for women at work during their menstrual cycles.

LJP member Shambhavi Choudhary also introduced legislation supporting paid menstrual leave for working women and female students, while ensuring access to hygiene facilities and health benefits during menstruation.

Congress representative Manickam Tagore presented a bill to exempt Tamil Nadu from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical program admissions.

Last month, the Tamil Nadu government petitioned the Supreme Court challenging the President's refusal to approve legislation exempting the state from NEET-based medical admissions.

DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi introduced legislation to abolish capital punishment nationwide. Despite ongoing calls for its elimination, successive central governments have maintained that the death penalty remains necessary as a deterrent in certain cases.

Nearly ten years ago, the Law Commission recommended promptly abolishing capital punishment except in terrorism-related cases, noting that it offers no greater deterrent effect than life imprisonment.

Independent MP Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil introduced the "Journalist (Prevention of Violence and Protection) Bill, 2024" in the lower house. This bill aims to prevent violence against journalists and protect them and their properties.

BJP member Ganesh Singh introduced the "(Supreme Court - Use of Hindi in Proceedings and Other Provisions) Bill, 2024," which advocates for Hindi language usage in Supreme Court proceedings.