Gujarat to Allow Women Night Shifts in Factories, Prioritizing Safety and Empowerment
Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government is gearing up to revise the Factories Act, lifting barriers that prevent women from working night shifts in factories and commercial settings. At present, the law restricts women’s working hours to between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. According to senior government sources, a draft ordinance is under legal review and is slated for release in the coming days.
State officials hail the move as a groundbreaking step toward empowering women in the workforce. The ordinance will amend Section 66 of the Factories Act, 1948, which currently states, “No woman shall be required or allowed to work in any factory except between the hours of 6 am and 7 pm.” The change will permit night shift work for women, provided strict safety and welfare conditions are met.
Government sources emphasized that the amendment hinges on bolstering workplace protections. Companies must enhance security measures and provide adequate facilities for women on night shifts. These updates align with the state’s push for gender inclusivity and workforce empowerment, ensuring women’s safety and dignity remain top priorities. “This will boost women’s roles in industrial jobs and foster a progressive, inclusive workplace,” officials noted.
The change also addresses long-standing hurdles faced by businesses, including multinational corporations, which have struggled to employ women at night due to local authorities’ reluctance to approve such schedules. The amendment aims to streamline permissions for all types of organizations.