Govt allows women to work night shifts, but with riders

Time of India

2 days ago

Bhubaneswar: To increase employment opportunities for women and facilitate ease of doing business, state govt has allowed the engagement of women employees during night shifts in shops and commercial establishments across the state.
The labour and ESI department, amending the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, issued a set of strict conditions to ensure the safety and dignity of women employees working night shifts.
According to the notification, establishments must obtain written consent from women opting for night shifts. The employer must ensure a minimum of three women are on duty during such hours, and a designated female supervisor must also be present.
An earlier clause that had imposed limitations on women night shift work in private firms, was withdrawn.
The Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, applies to any shop or establishment such as hotel, restaurant, cafe, boarding or eating house, theatre or other place of public amusement/entertainment.
The govt instructed employers to prevent overwork and fatigue of women workers. Female employees must not be assigned continuous day and night shifts, and there must be an eight-hour rest period between shifts.
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Additionally, employers are required to provide GPS-enabled transport for pick-up and drop, conduct police verification of drivers, and install CCTV surveillance and proper lighting at the workplace.
Employers must also ensure access to basic amenities like drinking water and toilets, and prominently display helpline numbers — 181 for women and 18003456703 for labour & ESI-related grievances. Compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, is mandatory.
All employers engaging women at night must submit a self-certification on the designated govt portal affirming compliance with these conditions. Non-compliance will attract penalties under Section 35 of the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, the notification added.
Labour minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia said, "By allowing women to work night shifts with strict safety provisions, the govt is not only creating equal employment opportunities, but also ensuring a safe working environment for women."
However, opposition BJD criticised the govt for seeking a self-declaration from women employees. BJD MLA Pramilla Mallik said, "If women sign a self-declaration form for night shifts, it means they are responsible for their own safety. Then why is the govt there, and what will the govt do for the safety of women?"