UP government's order for women employees: 'No night shift without consent; free food, transportation must'

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered employers in the state to not force women employees to work from after 7 PM and before 6 AM. The government has also asked the employers to provide a host of facilities to women. It has promised strong action against those violating the order. "No woman worker shall be bound to work without her written consent before 6 AM and after 7 PM," the order reads.

The order said women workers who opt to work during the odd hours should be provided with free transportation from their houses to the work place. The government has also ordered employers to make arrangements for food for female workers.

It said women must also get sufficient supervision during their shifts.  

The order said it is mandatory to provide facilities like washrooms, drinking water, changing rooms and light in the workplace. 

Not less than four women should be allowed in a shift between 7 PM and 6 AM. 

Uttar Pradesh | No female worker shall be bound to work without her written consent before 6am & after 7pm; to also be provided free transportation, food & sufficient supervision, if working during the aforementioned hours: Govt pic.twitter.com/b6cSOXnJm3

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 28, 2022

"Employer shall take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment. The employer shall maintain a complaint mechanism in the factory itself as prescribed in the Sexual Harrassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act," the order read.