CM Yogi’s big move to secure female workers

In Hinduism, Women have been kept at the highest pedestal. They are revered as Adhi-Shakti and it is said that Shiva without Adhi-Shakti is incomplete, akin to a dead corpse (shav). So, any development work without the prosperity, safety and security of women is incomplete. The Hindu monk led UP administration is leading a women led development in the state and has come up with a new notification to protect professional rights of women and parallelly provide a more safer environment at workplace.

New Rules for Women Factory Workers: Boon for Women safety

The Uttar Pradesh Labour department has issued a notification to provide a more secure working atmosphere for women and to protect their professional rights. The department has taken a significant decision in the larger public interest and has amended clause(b) of sub section(1) of section-66 of the Factories Act,1948. This is done to exempt some rules for protecting women against sexual harassment at workplace.

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The government has done away with the previous dragging system in which women were forced to work without their consent in the late hours of night. Their employers could fire them if they desist from working during the night shift. But with this notification the employers cannot employ Women before 6 A.M. and after 7 P.M. without their written consent. It has also ensured that no employers misuse this rule and terminate women employees on this ground. But if the woman wants to work during the aforementioned timings, this notification has put the onus on the employer to provide basic facilities for the women employee.

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The employers have to ensure the safe journey of the women employees during these late hours and provide free transportation facilities to their women employees. Further, they have to provide basic amenities like toilets, washrooms, changing-room, drinking facilities, lights and food. Additionally, the employer has to regularly inform the concerned area Inspector about the details of women workers engaged during night shifts and send monthly reports electronically. This notification has drawn the red lines for the employers that in case of violations of these rules, permission will be cancelled automatically.

Mission Shakti

The UP government has been continuously focusing on women empowerment. For the same purpose the UP government started “Mission Shakti – Nirbhaya ek pahal” in September 2021. It has the clear objective of providing a safe environment to women and empowering them with a series of awareness and capacity building workshops. With this continuous ongoing Mission the government has rapidly upscaled women participation in the Police Force. Additionally, it is empowering Women economically.

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The government is working on a war footing for women empowerment, keeping in mind the mantra of ‘Nari tu Narayani’. While all the political parties talk sweetly about women empowerment to muster their votes but in reality the UP CM is walking the talk on women empowerment be it Safety, security and economic empowerment. The government with these clear guidelines for factories has strengthened the women labour force and protected them from workplace harassment.