Bold move: State cabinet decides to amend Factories and Establishment Act 1948 bring in the change
The Maharashtra government has decided amend the Factories and Establishment Act 1948 so that women can work in night shift in factories like the IT sector.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet on Wednesday. Section 66 (1) (c) of the Factories and Establishment Act, 1948 restricts women from working at a factory between 7pm and 6am. "Now that will be done away with. The managements will have to ensure security of the women working in night shift. We will also tell the factory owners to ensure the safety of their women employees during night shift," said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
"Currently, in the IT sector, most of the women work in the night shift. Similar can be the way in factories once the amendment in the Act is done," added Fadnavis.
The Bombay high court had recently directed the state government allow women to work during night shift in the factories. The HC had said that livelihood is a fundamental right of every person as per the Constitution and no one has right to snatch their employment.
The government decision of making necessary changes in the Factories and Establishment Act, 1948 will result in freeing 14,300 factories from the 'inspector raj' and they will have the right to make their women employees work during night shift.
Advocate Anjali Sandhanshiv has welcomed the government decision. "Today women are not lagging behind in any field. So, they should not restrict women from working in the night shift as well. If women/girls are working in the IT sector and journalism, then women woring in factories must also be allowed to work in shifts. By providing adequate security to women in factories, they can be put in the night shift. This decision will empower women. Many women who are unable to work during the day shift due to personal reasons, can work during the night. It will give them livelihood," said Sandhanshiv.
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