TV
In a landmark move aimed at empowering women and improving the ease of doing business, the Odisha government has officially allowed women employees to work night shifts in private establishments. This decision comes with a set of stringent safety measures to ensure their well-being, as announced by the State Labour Department.
According to the newly issued notification, women can now work night shifts only after providing written consent. Furthermore, establishments must ensure that at least three women are on duty together during night hours, and a designated female supervisor must also be present.
The government has amended certain provisions of the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, thereby removing existing restrictions that prevented women from working at night. The earlier Clause-23, which imposed limitations on female night work in private entities, has been withdrawn.
However, the relaxation does not apply to minors. Strict safety protocols must be followed to create a secure environment for working women.
To enhance safety during commutes, employers must provide GPS-enabled vehicles to pick up and drop women employees or arrange safe accommodation near the workplace. Drivers of these vehicles will be verified by the police.
Additionally, the workplace must have well-lit premises, CCTV surveillance, drinking water, clean washrooms, and dedicated helpline displays including 181 (state women’s helpline) and 1800-345-6703 (Labour Department’s helpline). These helpline numbers must also be displayed inside the transport vehicles.
To prevent overwork and fatigue, female employees must not be assigned continuous day and night shifts, and there must be at least an 8-hour gap between their two shifts.
This progressive step is expected to create more employment opportunities for women across Odisha while ensuring their safety, dignity, and rights in the workplace are fully protected.
10 Key Highlights
The consent of women employees willing to work at night shall be taken in writing.
Adequate transportation facilities with GPS tracking system to pick-up and drop women employees at or near their residence shall be provided.
The establishment shall obtain Bio-data and Police verification of each driver of the night transportation vehicle, whether employed directly or through service provider.
The employer shall ensure that there shall 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 provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (14 of 2023), as applicable to the establishment, shall be complied with.
Any Employer engaging women employees during night shall submit a Self-certification in the prescribed proforma, electronically, in the designated portal of the Department.
No adolescent shall be allowed to work, whether as an employee or otherwise, in any establishment during the night.
If any establishment fails to comply with the above conditions, it shall be liable for a penalty under section 35 of the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, the official notification read.
