Uttar Pradesh officially allows women to work night shifts, double wages, safety in focus

The Uttar Pradesh government has issued a notification formally allowing women to work night shifts between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., provided they give their consent.

The move, cleared after President Droupadi Murmu approved the Uttar Pradesh Factories Amendment Act earlier in October, introduces mandatory protections and additional benefits for women working at night.

Under the new rules, women employees working night shifts must receive double wages, along with employer-provided transportation, health facilities, CCTV surveillance, and security personnel. 

The order applies across sectors, including hazardous industries, where women were previously restricted. Employers will be responsible for ensuring safe transit to and from the workplace, installing CCTV cameras, and deploying security guards during night hours.

Women will be allowed to work up to six days a week, and the permissible overtime limit has been raised from 75 hours to 144 hours per quarter, with overtime paid at twice the regular wage rate.

According to the state government, the policy is aimed at improving women’s participation in industrial and corporate sectors by providing safer working conditions and stronger financial incentives.