Delhi opens doors for women in night shifts with safety-first labour reform

In a progressive step toward workforce inclusivity, the Delhi Government has directed the Labour Department to allow women to work night shifts strictly with their explicit consent.

This decision, led by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, aims to overhaul outdated labour laws and align them with the capital’s evolving employment landscape. The move targets Section 66(1)(b) of the Factories Act, 1948, which prohibits women from working between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., and the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954, which imposes seasonal restrictions on women and young persons. Both provisions are being reconsidered to reflect the modern reality of 24×7 business operations.

The directive is part of Delhi’s broader “Ease of Doing Business” agenda. It includes raising the threshold for registration under the Shops and Establishments Act, permitting round-the-clock operations, easing retrenchment norms under the Industrial Disputes Act, and streamlining environmental and fire safety clearances. While the business community has welcomed the reforms, labour unions and women’s groups have emphasized the need for strong safeguards such as safe transport, secure premises, and grievance redressal mechanisms to ensure that women’s participation in night shifts remains voluntary and dignified.

With a six-month implementation timeline, this reform is poised to reshape Delhi’s labour ecosystem. More than a legal amendment, it signals a cultural shift toward building a workforce grounded in equity, choice, and safety.