Indian garment, textile and other industries are likely to get some relief in near future with regards to labour issues as the Central Government is now asking States to allow women to work in night shift at factories.
With suggestions to make amendments in State Laws for the same, the Labour and Employment Ministry of India has written to all State Chief Secretaries. The letter points out socioeconomic realities and opportunities for States, and urges for “necessary actions” as the Centre’s (draft) labour bill is still delayed.
Garment & textile industry, in particular, has been demanding for women workers to work at night from past many years. States like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have already amended laws in this regard. Though North India has less women workers in the garment & textile industry compared to South India, there’re still reasonable numbers on shopfloor in North Indian states.
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Vinod Thapar, an industry veteran and Chairman of Knitwear Club, Ludhiana informed Apparel Resources, “It will really benefit the industry, especially medium-level factories. But they have to work on the issues like women safety.” He further added that unorganized sector will not get much benefit due to this step, as conditions there are not supportive enough for women to work in night shift.
This initiative of Labour Ministry comes amid a slowdown in labour reforms at the central level with the Factories Amendment Bill pending for the past two years. The draft law, if cleared by Parliament, will allow women to work at night among other facilities. Indian garment industry has been vocal about changes in labour laws, and this is the second time after the ‘December 2014 letter’ by the PMO (Prime minister Office) when the Central Government formally asked States to change labour laws.
