Women working night shifts: What does the law say about ensuring their safety?

by January 16, 2020 Society
In several industries, women are now legally allowed to work in night shifts, and employers are responsible for their safety. Here's what the law says about this

This article is part of a special series: Safety of women in Indian cities

The gruesome rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad recently shocked our country. But after the dust settles, the question that would be asked of a dead woman is “What was she doing out so late in the night?” As working professionals and contributing members of society, women shouldn’t have to answer this question at all.

But we don’t live in a perfect world. Hence the law needed to step in to protect women who work at night. In 2002, state government amended the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, to allow night shifts for women working in the IT/ITeS industry. Last November, state government issued a notification allowing women working in factories that are registered under the Factories Act, 1948, to take up night shifts as well.

However, companies are also legally bound to provide safe transport to women in night shifts, without exception. They also have to follow other rules on preventing sexual harassment and so on. Despite this, there have been cases where companies shirked off their responsibility. If your employer does not follow these rules, you have the right to take up the matter with them.

Read more:

Sections:

About Manasi Paresh Kumar

Manasi Paresh Kumar was Engagement Editor for Bengaluru Citizen Matters.
Read more by Manasi Paresh Kumar

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

‘Banni Nodi’: How a place-making project is keeping history alive in modern Bengaluru

by October 28, 2024 Society
The Banni Nodi wayfaring project has put KR market metro station at the heart of a showcase to the city's 500-year urban history.

KR market metro station is more than a transit hub in Bengaluru today, as it stands at the heart of a project that showcases the city's 500-year urban history. The Banni Nodi (come, see) series, a wayfinding and place-making project, set up in the metro station and at the Old Fort district, depicts the history of the Fort as well as the city's spatial-cultural evolution. The project has been designed and executed by Sensing Local and Native Place, and supported by the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).  Archival paintings, maps and texts,…

Continue reading

Similar Story

Wounds of cyber abuse can be deep, get expert help: Cyber psychologist

by October 3, 2024 Society
Cyber psychologist Nirali Bhatia says that parents, friends and relatives of sufferers must not be reactive; they should be good listeners.

As technology has advanced, cyber abuse and crime has also increased. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, as we have seen in our earlier reports on deepfake videos and image-based abuse. In an interview with Citizen Matters, cyber psychologist, Nirali Bhatia, talks about the psychological impact on people who have been deceived on the internet and the support system they need. Excerpts from the conversation: What should a person do, if and when they have fallen prey to a deep fake scam or image abuse? We need to understand and tell ourselves it is fake; that itself should help us…

Continue reading