Thiruvananthapuram: In a relief to women working in shops, hotels and commercial establishments, the Kerala government has decided to amend a relevant act, aimed at ensuring a more secure environment for them and to prevent their sexual exploitation.
The decision to amend the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1960, was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The meeting also decided to accord sanction to a draft bill for the purpose, a government press release said. Various establishments, including shops, hotels and restaurants, will come under the purview of the amended act.
The bill will have necessary rules to ensure protection for women working between 9 PM and 6 AM. Certain restrictions will be imposed on deploying women on night shifts.
In a group of five members, there should be at least two women to be deployed on night shift and the employer will have to keep in mind the dignity, pride and security of women staff, the release said.
The women should also be provided transport for being dropped back at their residences, the release said.
As per the existing law, women should not be employed in these establishments between 7 PM and 6 AM.
The bill, while includes provisions for their safety,also incorporates women friendly initiatives, including providing seating arrangements for saleswomen during working hours.
This has been a long pending demand from women,especially from those employed in textile showrooms as they were not allowed to sit for nearly 8 to 9 hours while on duty.
They had also staged protests, demanding the right to sit while on duty.
The amendments come in the wake of complaints from employees, organisations and social activists on the problems being faced by women in shops and establishments.
The cabinet also decided to bring under the purview of the law, temporary security workers, who are appointed through security agencies.
For this, the definition of labourers would be enlarged, the release added.