Under Section 66(1)(b) of the Factories Act, 1948, women are generally restricted from working during night shifts unless specifically exempted by the State Government. This notification by Haryana Government supersedes all previous notifications and sets out updated safety and operational conditions for granting such exemptions.

Government of Haryana has laid out the following conditions for factories seeking exemption from restrictions on women’s night shift employment:

Note: Such exemption shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance of the notification.

1. Written consent from each woman worker (including staff, supervisors, and security personnel) is required for night shift employment t i.e. between 07.00 PM to 06.00 AM.
2. Provisions of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act ,2013 and rules framed thereunder or any other law or any other instruction/conditions issued in this regard shall be complied with by the occupier of the factory.
3. Adequate lighting and CCTV surveillance must be ensured inside and around the factory premises where female workers may move out of necessity in the course of her work.
4. Women should be deployed in groups of no fewer than four during night shifts to ensure safety.
5. Secure transport must be provided to the women workers from their residence and back. Security guards (including female security guard), well trained & responsible drivers, proper communication channels with trained drivers, GPS, and CCTV. Women may opt out by giving written consent.
6. Background verification of outsourced drivers is mandatory.
7. At least one female security guard must be present during night shifts.
8. Ensure availability of a doctor or female nurse during night shifts. Emergency tie-ups with nearby hospitals and ambulance services are allowed. Display key emergency contact numbers (hospital, ambulance, police) prominently.
9. All other relevant labour laws and welfare provisions must be observed.
10. Any untoward incident must be reported to the Assistant Director, Industrial Safety & Health and local police.