New Bill Passed: Women can now opt for night shifts with safety provisions

Gandhinagar (The Uttam Hindu): The Gujarat Assembly has passed the Factories (Gujarat Amendment) Bill 2025, under which women will now be able to work in night shifts with their consent. However, safety and health provisions have been made mandatory for this.

While presenting the bill in the assembly, Labour and Employment Minister Balwant Singh Rajput said that this step will provide equality, freedom of profession and economic rights to women. He said, "With consent based night duty, women will be able to contribute to their family's income and will also be able to give time to the family during the day." It was said that women employees will be able to work in night shifts only if they agree and security arrangements are complete. Daily working hours can be increased to a maximum of 12 hours, but the weekly limit will remain 48 hours only. Also, half an hour rest will be mandatory after working for six hours continuously. At the same time, employees will get two days of paid leave after completing four consecutive 12-hour shifts. A maximum of 125 hours of overtime will be possible in a period of three months, but prior approval will be necessary for this. The state government will decide the duration and applicable area of ​​these provisions and can also withdraw permission according to the circumstances.

The minister said these reforms strike a balance between labour welfare and industrial development. Gujarat is attracting new industries and investments and flexible labour provisions will be helpful in sectors that require 24-hour production. He said 16 special provisions will be mandatory for the health and safety of women. Industries such as semiconductors and microchips, where continuous production is necessary, will especially benefit from this law. The minister said the bill is in line with the principles of equality in the Constitution and the directions of the Gujarat High Court. He said, "This bill gives women the legal right to work night shifts of their own free will in a safe environment."

It is worth noting that this bill amends six sections of the Factories Act, 1948, which relate to working hours, overtime, rest and employment of women. It was passed in the assembly with an emphasis on generating employment, attracting investment and improving the industrial environment.