Latest news with #OdishaShopsandCommercialEstablishmentsAct
New Indian Express
05-08-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Odisha government lifts curbs on night shifts for women
BHUBANESWAR: Women can now work night shifts at private shops and commercial establishments with the state government removing all restrictions on their work hours and time. But, they will have to give their written consent to join night duty. Night shifts for women were earlier prohibited under the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, on safety grounds. However, the state government, in a bid to increase employment opportunities for women, has exempted all the shops and commercial establishments from the applicability of Section 23 of the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956. This section prohibited the employment of women during the night in any establishment, whether as employees or otherwise. The provision was to ensure their safety and well-being by restricting their work hours during the night. The government has allowed the employment of women during the night hours provided, they are willing to work at night and give their consent in writing. Additionally, there must be a minimum of three women employees present during the shift, and a female supervisor must be on duty to oversee operations. Pick-up and drop services must use GPS-enabled vehicles, and all drivers must undergo police verification,as read in a notification by the Labour Department. Workplaces have to prominently display emergency helpline numbers including 181 (state women's helpline) and 1800-345-6703 (Labour department helpline), both within the premises and inside the transportation vehicles.
Hindustan Times
05-08-2025
- Hindustan Times
Firms in Odisha now must get consent from women for night shift duties
The Mohan Majhi government in Odisha has asked shops and commercial establishments employing women in night shifts to obtain written consent from them if they are willing to work late shifts. The notification explicitly prohibits the employment of adolescents during night shifts. (HT Photo) The official notice, released by the Labour & ESI department under Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, said employers must obtain written consent from women willing to work night shifts, ensuring voluntary participation. 'To prevent isolation, a minimum of three women, including an onsite woman employer if applicable, must be present during such shifts. Employers required to provide vehicles equipped with GPS tracking for pick-up and drop-off at or near women employees' residences. Additionally, employers must verify the biodata and police records of all drivers, whether directly employed or hired through service providers, to mitigate risks. Employers are mandated to provide well-lit washrooms and drinking water facilities near workstations, equipped with CCTV surveillance covering passages to these amenities,' the government notification said. The guidelines further stipulate a minimum of eight consecutive hours of rest between shifts when transitioning between day and night duties, prioritising the health and well-being of women employees. Compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, is mandatory. Employers have to submit a self-certification through the labour department's online portal, affirming adherence to all safety and dignity provisions. The notification explicitly prohibits the employment of adolescents during night shifts.
The Hindu
05-08-2025
- The Hindu
Consent of women employees willing to work at night compulsory in Odisha
Cornered over women's safety concerns in recent months, the Mohan Majhi Government has issued a notification outlining measures to create a safer workplace environment for women, including a ban on employing adolescent females during night shifts Labour and Employee's State Insurance Department in the notification said the consent of women employees willing to work at night would have to be taken in writing while there will be at least three women employees, which may include onsite woman employer. 'No adolescent will be allowed to work whether as an employee or otherwise in any establishment during night,' the government made it clear. The conditions for engaging women in night shifts say adequate transportation facilities with GPS tracking system to pick-up and drop women employees at or near their residence would have to be provided. The establishment would obtain bio-data and police verification of each driver of the night transportation vehicle, whether employed directly or through service provider. 'The employer will provide toilet or washroom and drinking water facilities near the workplace where such women employees are employed, with provisions of closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance and proper lighting including the passages towards conveniences,' the notification elaborates. Dedicated telephone numbers of the establishment along with government toll-free helpline number for women (181) and Labour & ESI Department Helpline number 18003456703 will be displayed prominently and conspicuously at the establishment and inside vehicles used for transportation of workers, it says. 'The employer will ensure that there will not be less than eight consecutive hours of rest between the last shift and the night shift, whenever the duty of a woman employee is changed from day shift to night shift and vice versa,' the notification further delineates The State Government has made it mandatory for complying of the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (14 of 2023). 'Any employer engaging women employees during night, will submit a self-certification in the prescribed proforma, electronically, in the designated portal of the department, that he or she has provided all the facilities as mentioned in this notification and will take due care and diligence regarding the safety, security and dignity of women employees,' the State Government says. Violation of the condition would attract penalty under section 35 of the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, the notification mentions.
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt allows women to work night shifts, but with riders
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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo 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?"
