The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced an important change to support women who want to work during late hours. In a new Gazette order, the Yogi Adityanath-led administration has allowed women employees to work night shifts between 7:00 pm and 6:00 am. This decision is being seen as a major step toward increasing women’s participation in the workforce and promoting gender equality. The order states that women can work these night shifts only if they give their formal consent, ensuring that the option remains voluntary.
For years, women in many parts of the country faced time-based work restrictions, especially during late-night hours. These rules were originally put in place for safety reasons but ended up limiting opportunities for women in industries such as IT, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. With this new decision, Uttar Pradesh aims to correct that imbalance and provide women the freedom to choose their own working hours while ensuring strict safety measures are in place.
The move has been welcomed by industry leaders, women’s groups, and labour experts, who believe it will open the door to more job opportunities for women across sectors. It is also expected to bring workplaces in Uttar Pradesh closer to modern labour practices followed in several other Indian states.
A major highlight of the government’s decision is its strong focus on safety, welfare, and fair compensation. The order lays down detailed guidelines that every employer must follow if they choose to assign night shifts to women employees.
First, companies must ensure a safe working environment. This includes installing CCTV cameras, hiring female security guards, and creating well-lit and secure workspaces. These measures are meant to give women confidence and a sense of safety during late working hours. In addition to this, employers are required to provide transport facilities for women employees working the night shift. This ensures they can travel safely to and from their workplaces.
Another key measure is the rule on wages. Women who work night shifts are entitled to double the normal wage rate. This not only acknowledges the challenges of working late hours but also encourages fair compensation for the additional effort. This wage rule applies not only to regular night-shift work but also to any extra hours worked during this time.
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The government has also focused on ensuring regular monitoring. Officials noted that employers who fail to follow the safety guidelines or wage rules may face strict legal action. The aim is to create an environment where women feel protected and respected, and where companies are held accountable for maintaining safe workplaces.
These rules highlight that night shifts are not just about longer hours but about creating a workplace structure that supports women’s needs. By doing so, Uttar Pradesh hopes to attract more women into fields where late-night work is common, such as call centres, hospitals, media, and technology sectors.
Apart from night shifts, the new order also expands women’s working rights in other ways. One major change is that women can now work up to six days a week, which removes earlier restrictions on shift timings and schedules. This gives women greater flexibility to manage their work responsibilities and opens up more job opportunities in industrial and corporate sectors.
An important revision in the new directive is the increase in the overtime limit. Earlier, women were allowed to work only up to 75 overtime hours per quarter. But now, this limit has been increased to 144 hours per quarter, almost doubling the earlier cap. Women will be paid double wages for all overtime work, ensuring they are compensated fairly for the extra hours.
Another major shift is the inclusion of women in 29 categories of hazardous industries. Until now, women were not allowed to work in these sectors because of safety concerns. The Yogi government’s new rules allow women to participate in these industries as long as proper safety measures are in place. This decision is seen as a strong step towards equality because it opens up opportunities in areas traditionally dominated by men.
Industries that were once considered risky now have to improve their safety systems to accommodate women workers, leading to better standards overall. Experts believe this could encourage more companies to hire women in technical, production, and manufacturing roles.
The UP government’s decision is part of a wider national pattern where states are expanding opportunities for women. Recently, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also announced a similar reform that lifted restrictions on women working night shifts in shops and commercial establishments. Her government’s notification was issued under the Shops and Establishments Act of 1954 and was widely appreciated for promoting workplace equality.
With Uttar Pradesh now taking similar steps, the momentum toward women’s economic empowerment is growing stronger. These reforms suggest a shift towards creating more inclusive and flexible workplaces where women’s skills and dedication are valued equally.
Officials in Uttar Pradesh have confirmed that strict oversight mechanisms will accompany the implementation of the new rules. Labour authorities will monitor compliance regularly, and companies found violating the provisions may face legal penalties. The government has emphasised that women must feel safe and respected in all work environments, regardless of the job type or shift timing.
As Uttar Pradesh moves forward with these changes, the state hopes to increase women’s workforce participation significantly. The new rules are expected to inspire more women to take up night-shift roles, explore challenging industries, and fully participate in the state’s economic growth.
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