PANJIM: Women working in the industrial sector have reason to cheer – the Goa government intends to amend the Factories Act allowing women employed in the industrial and manufacturing sectors to work night shifts.
However, working hours for all workers will be increased from the existing 60 hours to 72 hours on a weekly basis, and with total overtime in any quarter going up from 75 hours of 125 hours.
A statement from the Information & Publicity Department states that the Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers intends to propose a bill to amend the Factories Act, 1948, to make the two changes. The statement adds that Section 66 of the Act will be amended “empowering the State Government to vary the current time limits with respect to employment of women while ensuring the safety of women who work in any factory or manufacturing process between the hours of 7 pm and 6 am, which will improve the employability of women and also help the industry to select the staff of their choice.”
Before finalising the amendments, the government has decided to keep the proposal open for public suggestions and objections. Citizens have been requested to forward their views to the Secretary (Factories and Boilers), before February 29, 2016.
The development comes six months after Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had decided to allow women to work in the second or night shift in the industrial sector. The recommendation by the Investment Promotion Board came following a representation from several industrial unions that pointed out that despite being highly qualified in the pharma sector, women are unable to work in the industry as it demands work in shifts. IPB had even assured that it would be the responsibility of the industrial units to ensure security of the women employees.
“Flexibility in hours of work is indispensable to maintain the pace of production. Further, in modern times, there cannot be discrimination against female workers as far as job opportunities are concerned. Specific provision restricting the employment of women at night has deterrent effect on employment of women,” an official said.
Referring to the ‘Make in India concept’ of the Union government that speaks of creating employment opportunities, the statement said, “To create such environment, several enactments are required to be revisited and relooked into.”
