The Government of Haryana has issued a fresh notification outlining strict conditions that factories must comply with if they wish to employ women during night shifts — specifically between 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM. This move aims to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of women workers employed in industrial sectors across the state.
The notification, issued under the Factories Act, 1948, supersedes all previous circulars and mandates that exemptions will be valid for one year from the date of approval. Applications for such exemptions must be submitted online within two weeks of the start of night shift deployment, and the approval will be auto-notified based on self-certification.
🔑 Key Conditions for Employing Women in Night Shifts:
- Voluntary Consent:
Written consent must be obtained from each woman worker, including security staff and supervisors, for working night shifts. - Compliance with Anti-Harassment Laws:
Factories must comply with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and related rules. - Lighting and Surveillance:
Proper lighting and CCTV surveillance must be ensured inside and around the factory premises. - Minimum Group Size:
Women must be employed in batches of at least four during night shifts. - Transport with Safety Features:
Employers must provide secure transportation from home to workplace and back, including:- Female security guards in vehicles
- Trained and verified drivers
- GPS and CCTV-enabled vehicles
- Optional opt-out clause with written consent
- Transport pooling via verified third-party providers
- On-Site Female Security:
At least one female security guard must be present on the factory premises during night shifts. - Medical Facilities:
Access to medical care through a doctor or female nurse is mandatory, and factories may also tie up with nearby hospitals for ambulance services. Emergency contact numbers must be displayed prominently. - Compliance with Labour Laws:
Factories must adhere to all provisions of the Factories Act, Equal Remuneration Act, and other applicable labour legislations, including rest breaks, canteens, and work hours. - Incident Reporting:
Any untoward incident must be reported immediately to the Assistant Director, Industrial Safety & Health, and the local police station. - Additional State Guidelines:
The State Government reserves the right to impose further conditions as needed.
CONCLUSION:
This policy marks a significant step in balancing industrial flexibility with gender-sensitive workplace safety. While enabling economic participation of women in round-the-clock operations, it places accountability on factory management to provide a secure, well-monitored, and supportive environment.
Factory occupiers are urged to take this compliance seriously and apply through the official portal within the stipulated timeframe to avoid legal implications.