West Bengal's New Steps for Women Safety in Workplaces

Kolkata, July 31 (PTI): The West Bengal government has taken significant steps to improve the security of working women, particularly those engaged in night shifts. The proposed measures include the establishment of mandatory complaint committees in organizations and the installation of CCTV cameras in the workplace, as revealed by an official on Thursday.

Under the proposed rules, female employees will not be obligated to work night shifts, and organizations must ensure their safety during travel to and from the office at night. These new regulations were introduced ahead of the one-year anniversary of the tragic rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at the RG Kar hospital.

"A total of 22 issues have been identified in the draft rules," stated the official. The night shift is defined as running from 8 pm to 6 am, and it is required that either at least ten women or one-third of the shift workforce, whichever is higher, must be on duty together. The proposal also includes providing resting areas and canteens for female employees, reducing the need for them to leave the office premises.

"CCTV cameras will be installed at entry and exit points as well as in corridors," he added. The rules mandate the creation of an internal complaints committee to uphold a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment. The committee is required to convene every three months to address complaints, and organizations failing to comply may face fines or revocation of operational clearances.

The draft emphasizes ensuring the safety of women during their commute to and from the office at night. "For this purpose, vehicles used by female employees must be equipped with GPS tracking, and the presence of trained female security personnel is mandatory." The vehicles must also have emergency alert systems, and an ambulance should be accessible. Emergency contact numbers must be prominently displayed in offices, and safety policies should be communicated in the local language.

The state has sought input from sectors like information technology, health, transport, and law enforcement on these safety measures. Following the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last August, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been actively advocating for women's safety and security at workplaces.

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