- Delhi Govt orders the Labour Department to amend the Laws for Women working Night Shifts
- The move is a step towards gender inclusivity & improving Delhi’s business climate
The Delhi government has ordered the Labour Department to amend laws to permit women to work night shifts with their explicit consent. This move is seen as a step towards gender-inclusive labor reforms, as restrictive labor laws have historically limited economic participation and business flexibility. However, the implementation and enforcement of these changes will be crucial.
A meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, attended by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Council of Ministers, and top city bureaucrats, issued the order. To review the status and progress of various aspects related to the flagship schemes, 'ease of doing business' and 'maximum governance - minimum government', a meeting was held.
The Delhi government has approved the removal of section 66(1)(b) of the Factories Act of 1948, which required women to work only between 6 am and 7 pm, and the draft of the Delhi Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Rules, 2023, which allowed women to work night shifts. However, these provisions were never implemented. The government has issued directions to re-engineer processes, including legal amendments, safety measures, and broader reforms to improve Delhi's business climate.
Delhi's government has further issued directives to improve the city's business climate, citing restrictive laws and regulatory regimes as a major hindrance. The directives include amending the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, focusing on safety measures for night shift workers, and implementing a broader reform package to improve the business climate, including 24/7 operations, higher employee thresholds, and reduced closure norms.
