Imphal: The Manipur government on Tuesday made it mandatory for factories to work in the night shift to get the written consent of women, install proper lighting in the premises and install CCTV cameras and arrange for safe transport for late women employees.
The provisions were included in a notification issued by the Department of Textiles, Commerce and Industry of the State Government on Tuesday.
Instructions are immediately effective.
An official said on Wednesday that women can still work further from 7 pm, but this can only happen when they provide written consent, making sure that no one is forced to continue working against their wish during late hours.
“To support this new regulation, the government has underlined several compulsory security provisions. Factories need to install proper lighting and CCTV cameras both inside and outside the premises to ensure continuous monitoring. To ensure that they have fallen safely in their homes after change to ensure that the employers should arrange safe transport for late women employees.
A notification released on Tuesday states that, apart from physical security, the government was also emphasizing the importance of a healthy and respectable work environment. The notification asked for the creation of the conditions of the workplace that respects women’s health, hygiene and personal dignity, and who prevent the emergence of any hostile or discriminatory environment.
Notification also makes strict adherence to sexual harassment of women in the workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2013.
It states that all factories need to adopt a formal sexual harassment policy. As part of the compliance process, each factory must appoint a dedicated complaint officer to address complaints and ensure that women’s concerns are efficiently and impartially dealt with.
The new order works for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers from 6 am to 7 pm. It aligns with security mentioned under the Maternity Benefits Act, 1961, which ensures that working mothers are not subjected to inappropriate stress or circumstances that can affect their health or their child.
The notification states that this measure highlights the security of women’s rights and their commitment to ensure their safety in the workplace.
