Delhi Government Permits Women to Work Night Shifts with New Regulations
New Night Shift Policy for Women in Delhi
Delhi: In a landmark move, the Delhi government has approved a policy allowing women to take on night shifts in shops and business establishments, contingent upon their written consent.
Work Hour Regulations:
The Labor Department of Delhi released a notification on Thursday stipulating that employees cannot exceed 48 hours of work per week or 9 hours per day. Overtime will be compensated at double the standard wage.
Furthermore, the government mandates that businesses employing women for night shifts must ensure adequate security measures, including transportation and CCTV surveillance.
An internal committee will be established to handle any complaints that arise.
Internal Complaints Committee:
To safeguard women's rights, every organization is required to set up an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to address issues related to workplace sexual harassment.
Work Continuity and Breaks:
The notification specifies that no employee should work for more than five consecutive hours without a break. Employers are also prohibited from assigning night shifts exclusively.
To bolster security, CCTV systems will be installed in workplaces, with footage retained for a minimum of one month. Employees will also be entitled to legal benefits, including compensatory leave, minimum wages, provident fund contributions, insurance, and bonuses for working on national holidays.
Earlier this year, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena endorsed the proposal to allow women to work night shifts in commercial settings.
