[India] Workplaces where women work nights must provide creche and canteen

To ensure a safer working environment for female employees, new labour rules being finalised by the Centre will mandate that establishments - including factories and construction firms - where women have agreed to work after 7 pm, will have to make provisions to accommodate them. The provisions include transport and employers ensuring that an on-site creche is available, according to reporting by The Print. 

In addition, employers will also have to make sure that the workplace is well lit, with adequate sanitation and canteen facilities available on the premises. These provisions will form part of the draft Occupational Safety, Health (OSH) and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2020, that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is finalising. Senior labour ministry officials reportedly said that the rules are likely to be publicly released next week to invite comments and suggestions, after which they will be finalised and notified. The Print has further details of the story, including circumstances under which the employment of women may be prohibited.

To ensure a safer working environment for female employees, new labour rules being finalised by the Centre will mandate that establishments - including factories and construction firms - where women have agreed to work after 7 pm, will have to make provisions to accommodate them. The provisions include transport and employers ensuring that an on-site creche is available, according to reporting by The Print. 

In addition, employers will also have to make sure that the workplace is well lit, with adequate sanitation and canteen facilities available on the premises. These provisions will form part of the draft Occupational Safety, Health (OSH) and Working Conditions (Central) Rules, 2020, that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is finalising. Senior labour ministry officials reportedly said that the rules are likely to be publicly released next week to invite comments and suggestions, after which they will be finalised and notified. The Print has further details of the story, including circumstances under which the employment of women may be prohibited.