Delhi's move is part of a broader effort to improve governance and labour rules, and to make it easier to do business in the city. In the city that never fully sleeps and works all the time, the Delhi Government clears the way for women to work night shifts legally and with safety.
As a part of new economic and labour reforms, the Delhi Government on Tuesday approved the changes to the law that allow women to work between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. in shops and businesses, while also ensuring their safety and rights for the first time since 1954.
An Advance Change in Labour Policy
The decision to allow women to work night shifts is part of a bigger plan by the Delhi Government to modernise old labour laws and support India’s goal to improve its “ease of doing business” rankings. As industries like Information Technology (IT), hospitality, healthcare, and retail expand, there is a demand for a more flexible and diverse workforce. Allowing women to work during night hours is seen as a necessary reform to match the pace of economic growth and urbanisation.
Recently, different state-level laws restricted women's working hours because of safety concerns and social norms. In many sectors, women were either discouraged or not allowed to work night shifts. This created an imbalance in industries that operate 24/7 and reduced job opportunities for women.
Delhi's new policy aims to remove these barriers while also setting strict safety rules to deal with concerns that caused restrictions in the first place.
Clauses of the New Guidelines
The Delhi Government’s decision comes with a set of rigid conditions that employers must meet if they want to engage women employees in night shifts. Employers should provide secure pick-up and drop-off facilities for women.
Vehicles must be equipped with GPS, and drivers must undergo proper verification. CCTV surveillance and female security personnel must be ensured on the premises. Every workplace should have a special Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) that is always active to address issues of harassment and misconduct. The system must be accessible and confidential.
Regular checks must be done to ensure safety rules are followed, and detailed reports must be maintained for labour department inspections. These rules are not bureaucratic; they are legal requirements. If conditions are not followed, the company licence can be cancelled and legal proceedings initiated against the employer.
Legal Background
Labour laws in India have been proactive, rather than allowing, when it comes to women. For example, the Factories Act, 1948, restricted women from working night shifts. These laws were meant to keep women safe from exploitation, but they also stopped them from working in jobs with odd hours.
Over the years, as more people supported gender equality and as women’s literacy and employment rates rose, some states started removing these restrictions. States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Karnataka have made similar moves. Now, Delhi’s decision brings the national capital in line with these progressive reforms.
Last year, the Supreme Court of India also rejected restrictions on women’s working hours, instead prioritising the state’s responsibility to ensure their safety.
“The policy plays a pivotal role in establishing Delhi as a 24×7 business hub and highlights the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and economic independence,” said Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
Industry Response
Industry leaders and business chambers have welcomed the decision, calling it a much-needed change for sectors like Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), e-commerce, IT, and healthcare, where 24/7 operations are the norm. It will benefit women, allowing them to work night shifts. It will help companies hire from a broader and more diverse group of people.
Anuradha Kapoor, a senior HR executive from a tech firm, said, “This move reflects modern realities. It allows women to take leadership roles and projects that provide global collaboration and extended hours. These mandated safety provisions give companies clear guidelines and responsibility.”
Although many employers admit that the policy is a good step, they will have to upgrade their infrastructure and management protocols. This may raise costs for small and medium businesses, but it is seen as a valuable step toward creating a fairer work environment.
Women Employees’ Reaction
The response from working women in Delhi has been mostly positive. While many welcomed the opportunity to work night shifts — whether for career advancement, better pay, or work-life balance — some remain concerned about the actual implementation.
Dr. Richa Singh, a senior resident at a city hospital, said, “I’ve worked in healthcare for a decade, and night shifts have always been a part of the job. What's new and encouraging is the state’s prioritisation of safety and rights, but administration is key. If there is no monitoring, the rules may remain on paper.”
Others see it as a chance for financial independence. Swati Mehta, a BPO employee, said, “For women who are single mothers or girls who are pursuing education during the day, night shifts will open up new paths for them.”
Implementation Challenges
While the announcement is promising, its success depends on how effectively it is carried out. Delhi has a mix of large corporations and small workplaces, where the rules can vary. Ensuring that small businesses, startups, and factories follow the safety rules could be challenging.
Labour unions and women's rights organisations have asked the government to ensure regular checks and create a complaint system where workers can report their problems anonymously.
The Delhi Labour Department has assured that a dedicated task force will make sure the policy is followed properly. Officials also plan to launch awareness campaigns to inform employers and employees about their rights and responsibilities under the new policy.
Delhi's decision to allow women to work night shifts with safety conditions is a commendable step towards gender equality. It fits the needs of today's economy and also supports women’s fundamental right to choose when and how they want to work.
But the policy will only succeed if it is rigorously followed, regularly checked, and supported by both the government and society. The real change will happen when leaders, employers, and society work together to create workplaces where every woman feels safe, respected, and empowered — no matter what hour of the day she is working.