Bhubaneswar, Aug 4: The Labour Department has issued a fresh notification allowing women to work night shifts in private establishments and commercial centres, subject to strict safety and operational guidelines.

As per the directive, women employees may be engaged in night duty only with their written consent. The workplace must have a minimum of three women staff present during the shift, along with a designated female supervisor to oversee operations.

To ensure safe transportation, employers are required to provide GPS-enabled vehicles for pick-up and drop-off. In cases where such arrangements are not feasible, suitable accommodation near the workplace must be made available. Additionally, the personal details of drivers involved in transporting women employees must be verified by the police.

The notification also mandates that workplaces must be equipped with adequate lighting, clean toilet facilities, and access to drinking water. The entire premises must be under CCTV surveillance to ensure round-the-clock monitoring.

To prevent overwork, the guidelines stipulate that there must be a minimum gap of eight hours between day and night shifts for women employees. The move comes as part of the government’s broader initiative to promote gender-inclusive employment while safeguarding the rights and welfare of women in the workforce.