Odisha Lifts Ban on Night Shifts for Women in Commercial Sector with Safety Protocols

Bhubaneswar: To empowere women in the workforce, the Odisha government has amended labour regulations to allow women to work night shifts in shops, industries, and commercial establishments—subject to specific safety guidelines and employee consent.

The Labour Department issued a notification outlining the revised provisions under the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956. The amendment removes the earlier Clause 23, which prohibited women from working during night hours. With this reform, women can now work in night shifts after submitting a written consent letter.

To ensure their safety, the new rules stipulate that at least three female employees must be on duty during a night shift, and a female supervisor must be present at all times. Employers are also mandated to implement robust security arrangements for women employees.

As part of these measures, companies must provide GPS-enabled vehicles for pick-up and drop-off services, or arrange secure accommodation near the workplace. Importantly, all drivers of transport vehicles must undergo police verification to enhance trust and safety during commutes.

The guidelines further require workplaces to be well-lit and equipped with CCTV cameras for continuous surveillance. Access to clean washrooms, safe drinking water, and other essential facilities is also mandatory to ensure a comfortable working environment.

In addition, workplaces must display emergency helpline numbers prominently. These include 181 (state women’s helpline) and 1800-345-6703 (Labour Department helpline). Transport vehicles provided by the employer are also required to carry this information for easy access in case of emergencies.

However, the Labour Department made it clear that the relaxation for night shifts is applicable only to adult female employees and not to minors, in keeping with existing child labour regulations.

The decision is being widely viewed as a step toward promoting gender equality in employment while maintaining a strong focus on safety, dignity, and legal safeguards for women in the workforce.