The Uttar Pradesh government issued a notification on May 27 saying that no woman can be forced to work in a workplace after 7 p.m. and before 6 a.m. without her written agreement.
Furthermore, if a woman works at night, her employer must provide her with free transportation and food.
According to the notification, factories in Uttar Pradesh must ensure that:
- Without written approval, no woman is obliged to labor between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- If a woman refuses to work such hours, she will not be fired from her job.
- Women who work between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. are given transportation to and from work.
- Food and adequate supervision are supplied to women working between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Toilets, drinking fountains, and change rooms must be available.
- At least four women must be present in the premises between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Appropriate efforts must be made to avoid sexual harassment.
In India’s 15-49 age range, there are three times as many males as females employed, according to the latest National Family Health Survey data.
Bihar; 14%, Uttar Pradesh; 17%, and Assam 14% are the states with the lowest percentage of working women; 18 percent.
