Allowing women to work in night shift will up exports: AIOE

Maharashrta Government's move to amend Factories Act 1948 allowing women to work in night shift will help boost export of many industries like garments and gems & jewellery, All India Organisation of Employers (AIOE) said today.
"Government's move to approve the Maharashtra Factories Amendment Act allowing women to work in night shift will help boost exports as many export intensive industries like garments, handicrafts... Curing and canning of fish and other food processing industries engage women workers on a large scale", AIOE President Sanjay Bhatia said in a press release.
According to the statement, Section 66(1) (b) of the Factories Act 1948 which explicitly prohibits the employment of women in night shift (between 1900 hours to 0600 hours) has been challenged by women organisations in High Court on the ground that it is unconstitutional.

Applauding the state government's move, Bhatia added that this is in the true spirit of the provision enshrined in the Constitution and is in consonance with the International Instrument, ILO Convention, ratified by the Centre.
Although it shall be the responsibility of the management to ensure a safe and secure working environment for the women working during night shift.
He also lauded redefining the term 'Factory' which raises the limit of number of workers in a manufacturing process from 10 to 20 with the aid of power and 20 to 40 without the aid of power.