It enables women to be employed in night shifts; Oppn wants women should not be forced to work in night shifts
Mumbai : The Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed the amendments in The Factory Act, 1948 that include, among others, the one that enables women to be employed in night shifts.
The opposition objected to certain changes and wanted the government to ensure welfare of factory workers and labour class.
As a part of its ‘Make-in-Maharashtra’ initiative, the State government has decided to adopt the policy to allow industries and even factories to depute woman employees in night shifts—between 6 pm and 7 am, labour minister Prakash Mehta told the house. He also said that amendments are aimed at taking away the medium and small scale enterprises (MSME) out of the licence raj as a part of a policy to boost the ‘ease of business’.
Following the amendments factories with up to 20 workers will be able to operate even at night to maximize production by using cheaper electricity—power costs less at night than during peak hours, the minister said.
The Bill stressed that adequate safety measures—such as safe transport facilities for women—be in place before factories switch over to such practices. The Bill also proposes to enable workers to be eligible for paid leave after working for 90 days in a year instead of 240 days or more, the minister pointed out.
Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP) said that though women are allowed to work in night shifts as per the amendments, they should not be forced to work in night shifts. The minister said that government agrees with the sentiments and suggestions would be included in the bill.
Shashikant Shinde (NCP) said that there should also be a comprehensive policy to cover all the stakeholders.
