Delhi government has approved a proposal allowing women to work night shifts in shops and commercial establishments.
Announced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on July 29, 2025, the decision marks a major step toward enhancing women’s participation in the workforce and positioning Delhi as a 24×7 business hub.
Calling it a “historic decision,” Rekha emphasized that the policy is not merely about extending work hours but about creating a safer and more inclusive working environment for women across the capital.
Legal Amendments to Enable Night Work for Women
To implement the new policy, the government will amend Sections 14, 15, and 16 of the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954.
These sections currently prohibit women from working between 9 PM and 7 AM during summer and between 8 PM and 8 AM in winter.
Once approved by the Lieutenant Governor, the amendments will formally allow women to work night shifts across various sectors, including retail, hospitality, IT, and consultancy services.
Mandatory Safety and Welfare Provisions
The policy includes a comprehensive safety framework to protect women working during night hours.
Employers will be required to obtain written consent from female employees before assigning night shifts.
Establishments must also ensure:
- Secure transportation facilities for pick-up and drop-off
- CCTV surveillance at workplaces
- Deployment of female security personnel
- Adequate lighting around transit points
- Clean restrooms, lockers, and other basic amenities
- Formation of Internal Complaints Committees under the POSH Act
These measures aim to ensure not only physical safety but also psychological comfort for women working late hours.
Statutory Benefits and Fair Compensation to Women
To promote fair treatment of night shift workers, the policy mandates electronic wage transfers and the provision of all statutory benefits.
These include Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), Provident Fund (PF), bonuses, weekly offs, and overtime pay5.
Employers must also ensure that women are not penalized or dismissed for refusing night shift assignments, reinforcing the voluntary nature of participation.
Aligning with National Trends and Judicial Guidance
Delhi’s move aligns with similar policies already in place in states like Haryana, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
It also reflects recent judicial sentiment, including a Supreme Court ruling that blanket restrictions on women working night shifts are unconstitutional.
The court emphasized that the state’s responsibility lies in ensuring safety, not imposing limitations4.
Senior advocate Madhavi Divan welcomed the policy, calling previous restrictions “paternalistic and patriarchal.”
She noted that enabling women to work night shifts expands career choices and promotes financial independence.
Implementation and Oversight
While the policy awaits final clearance from the Lieutenant Governor, preliminary discussions have taken place.
Once notified, establishments seeking to employ women in night shifts will be required to submit compliance undertakings and may be subject to inspections.
Experts like Kalpana Viswanath, CEO of Safetipin, stressed the importance of strict monitoring and infrastructure development.
She highlighted the need for secure and well-lit transit points to ensure safety beyond the workplace.
Note: We are also on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and YouTube, to get the latest news updates. Subscribe to our Channels. WhatsApp– Click Here, YouTube – Click Here, and LinkedIn– Click Here.
