Date:10/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/10/stories/2007051010620400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Night shift ban for women draws severe criticism

Special Correspondent

Nesargi terms decision retrograde, discriminatory

FKCCI resolves to meet Chief Minister

AGAINST DECISION: Karnataka Women's Commission chairperson Pramila Nesargi speaking at the interactive meeting on `Night shifts for women' organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bangalore on Wednesday. FKCCI pres ident R.C. Purohit (right) and vice-president FKCCI Muralidhar are seen. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Bangalore: The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has resolved to meet Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Labour Minister Iqbal Ansari to demand withdrawal of the decision banning night shifts for women in shops and commercial establishments.

An interactive meeting organised by the trade body also debated the possibility of moving the court if the Government remains adamant.

`No consultation'

Speaking as the chief guest at the interactive session on Wednesday, Karnataka Women's Commission chairperson Pramila Nesargi demanded to know how the Government had passed the amendments without consulting a statutory body such as the commission.

The move was retrograde, unconstitutional and discriminatory, Ms. Nesargi added.

Amendments

She demanded that not only the amendments but also the provisions of the original Act passed in 1961, which said women and young people could not work in night shifts, be annulled.

Ms. Nesargi said that National Commission for Women had already taken a stand that women should be allowed to work on all three shifts.

Job loss

The Kerala Law Reforms Committee had also taken a similar stand.

The recent amendments of the Karnataka Government were cleverly worded and banned women from night shift without stating it in so many words.

It had made violation of the rule punishable for the employer, which would in reality translate to lakhs of women losing jobs, Ms. Nesargi pointed out.

The Government would do well to address issues of women's security rather than bring out such amendments, she added.

FKCCI president R.C. Purohit, other members of the trade body and representatives of Association of Women's Entrepreneurs of Karnataka participated in the interaction.