Bhubaneswar- In a significant policy shift, the Odisha government has approved the employment of women in night shifts across private establishments, marking a milestone in gender inclusion and workplace reform. This decision, however, comes with a framework of strict rules designed to ensure women’s safety and dignity during odd working hours.
The previous ban under Clause-23 of the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, that prevented women from taking up night shifts in private companies, has now been officially scrapped. The Labour Department has laid out a comprehensive set of protocols for employers to follow, beginning with a mandatory written consent from the female employees opting to work during night hours.
To maintain a secure environment, companies must ensure that no fewer than three women are present together during the shift. A female supervisor should be available on-site throughout the night. Employers are also responsible for arranging safe and verified transportation. Vehicles used for pick-up and drop must be equipped with GPS tracking, and driver credentials must be vetted by the police. The transport should either bring the employees home or drop them at a safe location near their residence.
For further protection, workplace premises must be properly lit, fitted with CCTV cameras, and provide access to clean washrooms, drinking water, and prominent display of helpline numbers including 181 (women’s helpline) and 1800-345-6703 (Labour Department). These numbers should also be posted inside the vehicles used for employee transport.
To avoid fatigue, the law mandates that female workers cannot be scheduled for back-to-back day and night shifts without a minimum rest period of eight hours in between. Employers are also required to comply with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. No adolescent, irrespective of gender, is allowed to work during night hours under this policy.
Every employer opting to engage women during the night must submit a self-declaration through an online portal of the Labour Department, affirming full compliance with the new regulations. Any violation of these rules may attract penalties as per Section 35 of the original Act.
This progressive move not only opens up wider job opportunities for women in Odisha’s private sector but also demonstrates the government’s intent to balance economic participation with uncompromised safety and rights.
