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Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday lauded her government's decision to allow women employees to work night shifts across shops and commercial establishments in the national capital, calling it a long-overdue step toward gender equality in the workplace.
Speaking to ANI, Rekha Gupta said, "I'm amazed to think why women were denied the right to work from 9 pm to 7 am. We have repealed it. Now women can work at any time as per their convenience." The decision, formalised through a notification issued by the Lieutenant Governor, amends provisions under the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954. The announcement, initially made by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in July, has now been officially notified by the Labour Department. Under the new order, all shops and commercial establishments, except liquor outlets, may employ women during night hours, provided they comply with all prescribed safety, welfare, and labour law conditions. According to the notification, no employee shall be required to work more than nine hours a day or 48 hours a week. Continuous work for more than five hours without a break is prohibited. No woman shall be compelled to work exclusively on night shifts. Employers are required to ensure safe transportation, adequate security arrangements, and CCTV coverage for all night-shift employees. The CCTV footage must be preserved for at least one month and produced when required by authorities. Employees working overtime will receive double their regular wages. Those working on national holidays must be paid double and provided compensatory leave. Employers are also responsible for ensuring provident fund (PF), Employees' State Insurance (ESI), bonus, and leave benefits for all workers. Additionally, every establishment must constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Prior consent of women employees is mandatory before assigning them to night shifts. (ANI)
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