Latest news with #POSH
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Provide transportation, ensure CCTVs in place: Delhi govt nod for women to work night shifts
Women can now work night shifts in Delhi and will have to be given transportation, while establishments that employ them will have to ensure comprehensive CCTV surveillance and deployment of female security personnel. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Wednesday said the decision was taken to empower women and that a proposal will soon be sent to the Lieutenant Governor's office for approval. Earlier this month, the Delhi government had directed the Labour Department to make necessary changes to allow women to work in night shifts — but only with their consent. The move aims to increase women's participation in the workforce while also boosting 'Ease of Doing Business' in the national capital. 'This decision will not only contribute to making Delhi a 24×7 business hub but also significantly enhance women's participation in the workforce and improve the city's 'Ease of Doing Business' rankings,' said the CM. Highlighting the safety framework, the Chief Minister said that stringent measures are being implemented to ensure women's security during night shifts, including compulsory transportation facilities, comprehensive CCTV surveillance, and the deployment of adequate female security personnel. She said that similar permission requirements are already in place in states such as Haryana, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. 'This policy would play a pivotal role in establishing Delhi as a 24×7 business hub and underscores the government's commitment to women's empowerment and economic independence,' she said. To implement this decision, exemptions are being made under the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954. Currently, sections 14, 15, and 16 of the Act prohibit women from working between 9 pm and 7 am during summers and between 8 pm and 8 am during winters. The amendment will remove these restrictions, enabling women to work night shifts across the city, said Gupta. 'Women's welfare is at the top of the government's agenda and multiple initiatives are being undertaken to ensure the economic advancement of working women… To safeguard women working in night shifts, a comprehensive set of conditions will be mandatory for all establishments,' said officials. Officials said that any shop or establishment will take written consent from female employees before assigning them night shifts. Establishments have also been asked to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. Employers will also have to provide restrooms, toilets, lockers, and other basic amenities. Additional conditions include mandatory electronic payment of wages (bank/ECS), provision of all statutory benefits including ESI, bonus, provident fund, as well as weekly offs and overtime compensation.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Female security, CCTV surveillance: How Delhi govt is making night shifts safer for women
The Delhi government has cleared a proposal allowing women to work night shifts in shops and commercial establishments, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Tuesday. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta emphasised that robust safeguards will be put in place to ensure the safety and welfare of women working during night hours.(ANI) The move aims at increasing women's participation in the workforce and transforming Delhi into a round-the-clock business hub, she said. Calling it a "historic decision", Gupta said the step marks a significant push towards women's economic empowerment and self-reliance. She also emphasised that robust safeguards will be put in place to ensure the safety and welfare of women working during night hours. "Delhi will now join the list of states like Haryana, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, where women are permitted to work in night shifts," the chief minister said. "This policy is not just about extending work hours but it is a statement of our intent to create a safer, more inclusive working environment for women in the national capital," Gupta said. Under the proposed framework, employers will be required to obtain written consent from female employees before assigning night shifts, according to a statement. Establishments must provide transport facilities, CCTV surveillance, female security staff and all basic amenities including toilets, restrooms and lockers, it said. Formation of Internal Complaints Committees, as mandated by the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, will also be compulsory, the statement further said. It also mentioned that the decision involves amendments to the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954, which currently restricts women from working between 9 pm and 7 am in summer and between 8 pm and 8 am in winter. Once cleared by the Lieutenant Governor, the exemptions will formally allow women to work round the clock, it added. As per the statement, to ensure fair treatment of night shift workers, employers must also ensure electronic wage transfers, statutory benefits such as ESI, PF and bonuses, along with weekly offs and overtime pay. "This step will make Delhi a more business-friendly destination while reinforcing our commitment to gender parity at the workplace," the chief minister added.
NDTV
8 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
Women In Delhi Can Now Work Night Shifts In Shops, Commercial Establishments
New Delhi: Women in Delhi can now legally work night shifts in shops and commercial establishments, with the government easing long-standing restrictions under the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the decision on Tuesday, saying that the policy will boost women workforce participation and expand the city's potential as a 24x7 economy. The government plans to amend Sections 14, 15, and 16 of the 1954 Act, which currently prohibit women from working night hours, defined as between 9 pm and 7 am in summer and 8 pm to 8 am in winter. Once the change is in effect, these restrictions will no longer apply, allowing businesses to employ women in round-the-clock operations, provided they follow strict safety and workplace requirements. "This is a step toward increasing women's participation in the workforce while ensuring their safety and dignity at the workplace," Chief Minister Gupta said. "We are not just changing a rule, we're also creating a framework where women feel secure and supported during night hours," she added. Safety Protocols Mandatory The new policy comes with non-negotiable conditions for employers. Written consent from women employees will be required before assigning night shifts. The establishments must provide secure transportation for night duty, round-the-clock CCTV coverage, an adequate number of female security personnel, and an Internal Complaints Committee under the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Act, restrooms, lockers, and break rooms and wages must be paid via bank or ECS, and all legal benefits like ESI, Provident Fund, bonuses, weekly offs, and overtime pay will be mandatory. Policy Awaiting Lt Governor's Approval The proposal will be sent to the Lieutenant Governor for final approval. Similar policies are already in place in states like Haryana, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Delhi's move follows months of internal discussions and demands from industry bodies looking to expand night-time operations. "This will help establish Delhi as a 24x7 business hub and also contribute to improving the capital's Ease of Doing Business rankings," the Chief Minister said.
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
Social Media Used For Academic Interaction Falls In Ambit Of Workplace Under POSH Law: Delhi HC
A DU professor accused of sexual harassment had challenged the university's disciplinary action, claiming social media conversations should not be treated as workplace harassment The Delhi High Court has upheld the compulsory retirement of a Delhi University assistant professor after an internal complaints committee found him guilty of sexually harassing four students and an alumna via WhatsApp and Facebook messages. The court ruled that social media platforms used in the context of academic interactions are within the ambit of a workplace under the POSH law. The professor had challenged the findings of the internal complaints committee (ICC) and the university's disciplinary action, claiming procedural irregularities and arguing that private social media conversations should not be treated as workplace harassment. The court rejected all grounds of challenge. The complaints, filed in 2018, alleged that the professor had sent sexually charged, inappropriate, and unsolicited messages through Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. Screenshots submitted by the complainants revealed late-night texts with sexual innuendos and repeated digital contact despite objections. The ICC found the complaints credible and concluded that the conduct constituted sexual harassment under Section 2(n) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The inquiry established that the accused used his position to exploit academic and personal boundaries over digital platforms. The professor was issued a show-cause notice in July 2018. After considering his written response and oral submissions before the governing body, the university accepted the ICC's recommendation and imposed the penalty of compulsory retirement in October 2018, which was subsequently ratified by the vice-chancellor. In his petition before the Delhi High Court, the professor argued that the ICC was not properly constituted and that the inquiry process violated Rule 7(7) of the POSH Rules. He claimed the committee had failed to offer him sufficient opportunity to cross-examine the complainants and that no detailed 'speaking order" was issued by the university in the final disciplinary decision. Justice Subramonium Prasad, however, dismissed the petition. The court held that the ICC was validly constituted and the inquiry was conducted as per law. The professor's non-cooperation during evidence collection and cross-examination was noted on record, and the court found no procedural irregularity that could vitiate the process. Significantly, the HC held that digital platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, when used in the context of academic or hierarchical relationships, fall within the scope of 'workplace" under the POSH Act. The power dynamic between the professor and the students was relevant in establishing the workplace context, despite the online medium. The court observed that the 'WhatsApp and Facebook messages sent by the petitioner are so profane that this court refrains from reproducing the same in the order". It also remarked that 'teachers shape the careers of young aspiring students", and misconduct by educators has a 'deleterious effect on the psyche" of the victims. The court clarified that the absence of a speaking order from the university did not cause prejudice to the petitioner, since the disciplinary process followed ICC findings and provided both notice and hearing. The ruling reaffirms the legal validity of ICC inquiries under the POSH Act and reinforces the interpretation that harassment through digital channels by a person in authority, even outside institutional premises, can constitute workplace sexual harassment. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
Form internal complaint committees in Anna University, suggests national women's panel
CHENNAI: The National Commission for Women (NCW), which had taken suo motu cognisance of the December 23 sexual assault incident at the Anna University campus last year, visited the university again to review the implementation of its suggested safety measure inside the campus. NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar also recommended a few more measures to improve institutional safeguards. The recommendations include constituting Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) as per UGC POSH Guidelines, mandatory training of ICC members, and conducting POSH awareness programmes for students. The commission also recommended a campus safety audit involving student stakeholders, installation of signage at dark vulnerable spots, formation of WhatsApp groups linking students and police personnel, and creation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to track visitor entry and exit. After Rahatkar chaired a review meeting with senior university officials, the NCW said that it would continue to monitor the situation and extend its full support in fostering safe and inclusive academic environments. Calling the case a wake-up call, the NCW urged universities nationwide to adopt robust safety and gender sensitisation initiatives. The December incident involved a trespasser sexually assaulting a second-year female student after brutally assaulting a senior male student accompanying her. A Gnanasekaran, the accused has since been convicted and sentenced to 30 years without parole.
