Cabinet lifts ban, women free to work night shifts

Women employees will soon be allowed to work night shifts and the employer will have to provide safeguards such as occupational safety and p...

Women employees will soon be allowed to work night shifts and the employer will have to provide safeguards such as occupational safety and protection, and arrange transport to drop them home.

The Cabinet has decided to lift the ban on women working night shifts between 7 pm and 6 am at factories by ratifying the Protocol of 1990 to the ILO Night Work (Women) Convention and amending the Factories Act of 1948.

The move follows representation from women organisations favouring night work and courts’ orders calling the restriction unconstitutional. It is aimed at generating employment opportunities for women and utilising the installed capacity.

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However, it will not be before late next year when women can avail such job opportunities as the process of amending the Act will be started after the Protocol is ratified in factories.

‘‘The action for amendment of the Act will be initiated after the process of ratification is over. The entire process will be completed within a period of 18 months,’’ said the government spokesman.

The proposed amendment makes it clear that women can be deputed night shifts provided the employer ‘‘ensures adequate safeguards with respect to occupational safety and health, equal opportunity, adequate protection of their dignity, honour and safety, and transportation to the nearest point of their residence’’.

And, the night shifts can be assigned only after consultation with the representatives of the workers, it adds.