If the State government agrees to the recommendation, Goa will join the league of selected states like Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh that allow women to work on night shifts.
Currently, under the Factories Act, women are not permitted to work between 7 pm and 6 am.
The IPB meeting held Wednesday evening was chaired by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who ‘in principle’ has agreed to the suggestion. The chief minister pointed out that nearly 95 to 98 per cent of the Pharmacy college students are girls and that many of them become housewives as the pharma industry looks for those working on night shifts.
Sources said that the recommendation was made following representation from several industrial unions that pointed out that women, despite being highly qualified in the pharma sector, are unable to work in the industry as it demands work in shifts. Also there were objections raised as to why women were being discriminated and not allowed to work on night shifts.
Sources said that IPB was of the view that women should be allowed to work in the industrial sector on night shifts in line with those working in the hospitably and medical sector.
While proposing the amendment, IPB said it would be the sole responsibility of the industrial units to ensure security of the women employees. “The said clause will have to be added to the amendment. This condition would be mandatory despite the fact that Goa is a safest place for women employees,” sources said.
The State had earlier announced plans to start safe, overnight residential facilities for women in key industrial areas to help tide over the problem.
The Narendra Modi government has also proposed an amendment to the Factories Act 1948, to allow women to work in night shifts. The decision in this regard was initially mooted by the UPA government under tremendous pressure from several industries.
