Sanofi gets approval to hire women for 7pm-6am shift
Source: TimesOfIndia
Goa state government has permitted pharma giant Sanofi, which has a facility in Verna, to employ women in the night shift between 7pm and 6am for two years.
In June 2017, industry bodies, including pharmaceutical entities, wrote to the government seeking approval for women to work beyond 7pm in the manufacturing sector. In August 2019, the government passed the Goa Factories (Amendment) Bill, which allows women to work the night shift.
The inspectorate of factories and boilers, which granted the permission to Sanofi India Ltd, also imposed a number of riders on the company – Sanofi has to take written consent from the women workers, and provide safe, secure, and healthy working conditions.
Sanofi has also been directed to comply with the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, or any other law in force, as applicable to the factory.
The inspectorate has also told the company to provide separate pickup and drop facilities for the women. A security guard has to accompany the women from their residence to the workplace and back.
Sanofi has also been asked to ensure that the workplace, including passages towards conveniences or facilities like toilet, washrooms, drinking water, entry and exit, are well-lit, and also to consider CCTV surveillance to ensure their safety.
The inspectorate has also stated that no woman worker shall be employed against the maternity benefit provisions laid down under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, or any other law in force.