Employment of Women in Night Shifts in Himachal Pradesh

Here are the key highlights of this regulatory change:

Employment of Women in Night Shifts Women may now be employed in night shifts (before 6:00 AM and after 7:00 PM) in all shops and commercial establishments that are already exempt from Sections 9 and 10 of the Act.

Conditions to be Fulfilled by Employers The permission is conditional, and the following mandatory safeguards must be ensured:

Working Hours and Overtime Women may be employed beyond 8 hours, provided it is in compliance with the provisions on overtime and spread-over under the Act or related Rules.

Maternity Benefits Must be provided as per the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

Transportation Facilities Employers must provide pick-up and drop-off to the employee’s residence. Vehicles should have CCTV and GPS tracking.

Supervision and Surveillance CCTV monitoring must be in place during night hours for safety. Proper lighting at the workplace is mandatory.

Health and Safety Infrastructure First-aid facilities and a First-Aid Box must be available. Ambulance-on-call should be ensured in case of emergencies.

Sanitation and Amenities Toilets, washrooms, and drinking water should be close to the work area, with safe access routes.

Workplace Equality and Safety Women must not be disadvantaged in employment on account of their gender. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 must be strictly followed.

Quarterly Reporting Employers must send quarterly electronic returns detailing employees engaged during night shifts to the jurisdictional Inspector.

Other Conditions The government may impose additional conditions from time to time.