Delhi government allows women to work night shifts, mandates safety measures for employers

The Delhi government has officially permitted women to work night shifts in factories and other industrial units, following the approval of a proposal aimed at promoting gender equality in employment.

The move, however, comes with strict conditions for employers to ensure the safety and dignity of female workers during night hours.

According to a notification issued by the Labour Department under Section 66(1)(b) of the Factories Act, 1948, the restriction on employing women between 7 pm and 6 am in factories is now lifted. Employers must comply with specific safeguards to make this provision operational.

Key requirements include:

Transportation: Employers are mandated to provide safe transportation to and from the workplace for all women working night shifts.

CCTV installation: Workplaces operating night shifts must install functional CCTV cameras to monitor activities and ensure safety.

Safety and hygiene measures: Proper lighting, separate restroom facilities, and adequate security personnel must be provided. Employers are also expected to ensure that women are not assigned to isolated areas or lone workstations.

Internal complaints mechanism: Establishment of an Internal Complaints Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act is compulsory.

Consent-based deployment: Women must not be forced to work night shifts against their will, and their written consent is required.

Work-hour restrictions: No woman employee can be required to work more than eight hours in a day or 48 hours a week. Overtime beyond prescribed limits is not allowed.

The Labour Department said this move aims to provide equal employment opportunities to women and remove regulatory hurdles that have long limited their participation in certain industries and shifts.

The notification also emphasizes that any violation of the conditions will be viewed seriously and may lead to penalties or revocation of the permission.

This decision aligns with broader efforts across states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka that have taken similar steps in recent years to allow women to work night shifts in factories and service sectors, especially in IT and hospitality.