Cong now voices its opposition to Factories amendment bill

After the Insurance bill, Congress today voiced its opposition to the Factories Amendment bill 2014, a move initiated by the UPA government.
Party spokesperson Shobha Oza, who is also Mahila Congress chief said that as chief of a women organisation she will not recommend night shift for women in factories.
"I do not recommend or at least my organisation will not support it," she said citing rising number of cases of rape and atrocities against women.
"I don't think it is very advisable to have night shifts for women in factories, if you remember there was a lot of concern for the women who were working for BPOs and who travel during night time, I strongly oppose that move of the government," she said.

The bill was pursued by the UPA, which among other things would pave the way for women employees to work in late night shifts.
The Factories (amendment) bill, 2005 was placed before Parliament in August 2005 to amend section 66 of the Factories Act, 1948. In August 2007, the Union Cabinet had approved amendment in the Factories Act paving the way for women employees to work in late night shifts.

Oza, however insisted "as a Chief of the Women's organisation, I oppose this amendment that women be allowed to work during the night shifts in factories."
Pressed further on the issue, she said as far as the amendments in the Factories Act were concerned, it can be discussed within the party.

"I said that this is our view, if there is any difference of opinion, we will discuss it within our party," Oza said.
To a question when co-related with the women employees of BPOs and call centres, Oza, who appeared tying herself in the knots over the issue said, "I am talking about factories. I am not talking about BPOs.