The initiative has come from the ministry of labour and employment which aims to provide more relief to women workers and ensure gender parity,
NEW DELHI: The government is pulling out all stops to ensure that women get their rightful dues in the workplace.
These will become a reality once parliament clears amendments in the Maternity Benefit and Factory Acts this budget session. The initiative has come from the ministry of labour and employment which aims to provide more relief to women workers and ensure gender parity,
For a start, section 8 of the Maternity Benefit Act will be amended to increase medical bonus for pregnancy four-fold to Rs1,000. This is for those women whose companies/employers do not provide any free medical benefits during this period. It is applicable to every establishment with 10 or more employees.
The amendment in section 66 of the Factory Act will give women the right to work during night shifts (between 7 pm and 6 am). Employers must ensure safety and provide them transport from the factory to the nearest point of their homes. The amendment will help women at SEZs, factories, textile units and the IT sector.
These amendments assume significance given the proactive role of president, Pratibha Patil and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in women-related issues.
Of course, women and child development (WCD) minister, Renuka Chowdhury has been spearheading the cause too and the labour ministry headed by Oscar Fernandes is keen to push these bills at the earliest.
Both were introduced in parliament last year but referred back for changes which have been done by the labour ministry.
Business houses have welcomed the move. “Women form a big part of the workforce and money must be spent on their security. Employers must ensure a proper working environment,” said Anjan Roy of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
“Nightshifts entail unsafe working hours and travel. Employers need to provide transport for women involved in night shifts. Maternity benefits should also be extended to women in the unorganised sector,” said general secretary of the All-India Democratic Women’s Association, Sudha Sundaram.
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