One step forward in labour reforms: India Inc

“This is a big step, specially for the garment factories, which employ almost 60 per cent of women work force,” said Kishore Biyani, MD, Pantaloon (India) Retail Ltd. D.K. Nair, Secretary General of the Indian Cotton Mills’ Federation said, “The step is good for employees, for the textile and garment sector and also for the economy.’’

According to Rajesh Mandawewala, ED at Welspun, “In the textile industry more than 50 per cent of the work is done by women, and hence the amendment will increase productivity. Considering women are more dextrous, the more manual work of sewing and packaging will now be done faster.” Welspun, which recruits around 60 per cent women in its capacities in Gujarat, will now extend the night shifts to women workers. It also plans to set up dormitories and other facilities at their sites for women.

Incidentally, most textile, garments, manufacturing and the IT sector firms find women to be a better work force. As Gautam Nair, Matrix Clothing MD says, “Women are better workers, since they are patient and listen to instructions and execute them to the minute detail.’’

According to a Ficci official, “This was a long-pending demand, so we’re happy the government has agreed to the change, while ensuring that women’s safety is taken care of. It will certainly boost women employment in manufacturing, specially in the electronics, software and textile sectors.”

Top CD maker Moser Baer, which employs 7,500-plus workers, a large percentage of whom work late, said the decision will give incentives to hire more women. “The amendment is overdue and welcome,” said Rajyawardhan Ghei, HR head with Moser Baer.

Tata Motors, which has over 500 women in its ranks, is another company where they can now also work on nights. A company official said, “At present, there are women engineers who do work on the shop floor, but none of them are put on the night shift.”

The restriction on women was also not in tune with India Inc’s globalisation drive. Countries like China, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea or Taiwan don’t prohibit women from working nights, but instead, offer “adequate safeguards”. Bhaskar Menon, President, Mphasis BFL (the BPO arm of Mphasis) said the step was “a welcome move and a step in the right direction. This opens up new vistas for women in the state and in the IT industry.’’

(With inputs from Kolkata, Pune and Mumbai).