Maharashtra Factories Act amendment lets women work in night shifts

The amendments to the Maharashtra Factories Act, 1948, to allow women work in factories in night shifts, received Presidential approval, giving one more push to women's empowerment.

But, the amendment requires managements to ensure security of women working in the night shift.

It is likely that factories make working hours flexible so as to attract young workers and women allowing them to adjust themselves with their household duties.

Earlier, section 66(1)(c) of the Factories Act provided that women cannot work in a factory between 7 PM and 6 AM. Now that has been done away with.

The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was introduced in Lok Sabha on 7 August 2014 to amend the Factories Act, 1948.