Puducherry govt. allows women to work night shifts in factories till 10 p.m.

The Puducherry government has extended the working hours of women in factories and industries up to 10 p.m. in the Union Territory (UT).

Commissioner and Secretary, Labour, R. Smitha, in a press note, said a notification extending the working hours of women during night shifts was issued last month. Prior to issuing the notification, women were allowed to work in factories during night hours only till 7 p.m., the note said.

The extension of working hours has given more flexibility related to employability of women during night shifts in factories and industries. The decision was taken with the aim to promote equal opportunity, gender equality, and enable inclusive economic participation of women, while maintaining their safety and welfare at the workplaces, she said.

“The government is committed towards taking steps aimed at empowering women employees by facilitating their participation in the workforce through extended and flexible working hours and further easing other such restrictive terms and conditions related to employment in general,“ she said.