Is It Legal to Have Women Work Past 7 P.M. in Our Textile Company? Seeking Clarity on The Factories Act 1948

We operate a textile company where the majority of our employees are women. Due to a demanding work schedule, we often require them to work past 7 p.m. Is this legal? Could someone enlighten us on the status of Section 66(1)(b) of The Factories Act 1948 in this context? Are there any legal means to employ women workers after 7 p.m.? We currently run a single shift from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Any advice from experienced professionals would be greatly appreciated.

Proviso to Section 66(1)(b) permits employment up to 10 pm if authorized by the appropriate government. With the emergence of IT/BPO, many notifications have come permitting the employment of women during the night. The only condition is that the employer has to ensure the safety of women employed during the night. Similarly, the employer has to arrange transportation for these women employees.

Regards, Madhu.T.K

Hello,

If the organization is planning to engage women workers to work late, the organization should ensure the safety of all the women workers, including their food and transportation arrangements.

As per current practice, if you want to appoint women for evening and night shifts, you should be responsible for their safety, transportation, and meals. Then, appoint them after 7 P.M.

The proviso to Section 66(1)(b) of the Factories Act allows women's employment until 10 p.m., provided it is authorized by the appropriate government. With the rise of the IT/BPO sector, several notifications have been issued permitting women's employment during night hours. The only prerequisite is that the employer must ensure the safety of women working during these hours. Furthermore, it is the employer's responsibility to arrange transportation for these women employees.