New Delhi: The Delhi government has approved a proposal allowing women to work night shifts in shops and commercial establishments.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the decision on 29 July, calling it a “historic step” to bolster women’s participation in the workforce and promote Delhi as a 24×7 business-friendly city.
The new policy will bring Delhi in line with other states such as Haryana, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, where women are already permitted to work night shifts.
Highlighting the significance of the decision, Gupta said: “This is not just about extending work hours. It reflects our resolve to build a safer, more inclusive work environment for women in the capital.”
According to the Delhi government, several mandatory safeguards will be introduced to ensure the safety and well-being of women during night shifts. These include written consent from female employees, transportation facilities, CCTV surveillance, presence of female security staff and provision of essential amenities such as toilets, restrooms and lockers.
Additionally, establishments will be required to constitute Internal Complaints Committees as mandated under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act.
The move involves amending the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954, which currently prohibits women from working between 9 pm and 7 am in summer and from 8 pm to 8 am in winter.
Once the Lieutenant Governor clears the amendments, the new exemptions will come into effect, formally enabling women to work through the night.
The policy also ensures fair labour practices, including electronic wage transfers, mandatory statutory benefits like ESI and PF, weekly offs, overtime pay and bonuses for night shift employees.
“This will not only enhance safety and equity at the workplace but also contribute to making Delhi a more dynamic economic hub,” Gupta added.
