Women working in night shift in Delhi will now have to be given transportation, while establishments that employ them will have to ensure comprehensive CCTV surveillance and deployment of female security personnel. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Wednesday that the decision was taken to empower women. The government’s proposal will soon be sent to the Lieutenant Governor’s office for approval.

Earlier this month, the Delhi government directed the Labour Department to make necessary amendments to allow women to work in night shifts. The move aims to increase women’s participation in the workforce while also boosting ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in Delhi.

“This decision will not only contribute to making Delhi a 24/7 business hub, but also significantly enhance women’s participation in the workforce and improve the city’s ease of doing business ranking,” said the Delhi CM.

CM Gupta also said that stringent measures will be implemented to ensure women’s safety during night shift, including compulsory transportation facilities, comprehensive CCTV surveillance, and the deployment of adequate female personnel. Similar permission requirements are already in place in states like Haryana, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, and Delhi is soon to join the list.

“This policy would play a pivotal role in establishing Delhi as a 24/7 business hub—the government’s commitment, women’s empowerment, and economic independence,” said CM Rekha Gupta.

Implementing Amendments

For the implementation phase of the decision, exemptions are being made under the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act of 1954. Currently, Sections 14, 15, and 16 of this Act prohibit women from working between 9 PM to 7 AM during summer and between 8 PM to 8 AM during winters. The amendment will lead to the removal of these particular sections, allowing women to work during night shift.

“Women’s welfare is at the top of the government’s agenda and multiple initiatives are being undertaken to ensure the economic advantage of working women… To safeguard working women in night shift, a comprehensive set of conditions will be mandatory for all establishments,” the CM further added.

As soon as women’s safety during night shift becomes a legal mandate, women’s access to the city will gradually improve, even during night. Media narratives and crime records highlight the lack of safety for women during night in the national capital. Only time can tell if the government plan works on the ground.

Any shop or establishment will take written consent from female employees before assigning them night shift. Establishments have also been asked to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act.