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The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for re-introduction of a Bill to amend section 66 of the Factories Act, 1948 with such changes of drafting or consequential nature as required.
For section 66 of the Factories Act, 1948, the following section shall be substituted, namely:-
“66. The provisions of this Chapter shall, in their application to women in factories, be supplemented by the following further restrictions, namely:-
a) no exemption from the provisions of section 54 may be granted in respect of any woman;
b) there shall be no change of shifts except after a weekly holiday or any other holiday;
c) no woman shall be required or allowed to work in any factory except between the hours of 6 A.M. and 7 P.M.
Provided that where the occupier of the factory makes adequate safeguards in the factory as regards occupational safety and health, equal opportunity for women workers, adequate protection of their dignity, honour and safety and their transportation from the factory premises to the nearest point of their residence, the State Government or any person authorized by it in this behalf may, by notification in the Official Gazette, after consulting the concerned employer or representative organization of such employer or workers or representative organizations of such workers, allow employment of women workers between the hours of 7 P.M. and 6 A.M. in such factory or group or class or description of factories subject to such conditions as may be specified therein.”
The Amendment of the Factories Act will provide flexibility in the matter of employment of women during night hours.
RK/HS/LV
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