In a bid to ensure the safety of women in private companies, the Karnataka government has brought out a new set of guidelines for employers, the Bangalore Mirror reported.
On December 19, the government issued a notification that the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) (Karnataka) Rules of 1974 was amended On December 19, a Deccan Herald report states.
The non-compliance of these norms would give the state government the authority to cancel the licenses of said firms, a report by Deccan Herald states.
The new norms state that women employees cannot be put under night shift without consent.
Among the 15 new guidelines, it will be mandatory for private companies to provide crèche services for women employees, the reports state.
The perks also include free transport facility to and from the workplace, ensuring that the women staff are picked up and dropped of first and men last, in case the company provides drop facilities for male employees as well, the DH report states.
These companies will also have to set up a control room facility to monitor their vehicle, according to the notification. In addition to conducting thorough background checks of drivers hired, the reports say.
This rule is applicable for drivers sourced from another agency as well. Besides, schedules of the routes to be taken by the drivers have to be decided by a supervisory office appointed by the company only.
However, in case of emergencies, the change of routes, drivers and shifts will be allowed, provided the supervisory officer has been informed of said changes.
Also, companies cannot disclose telephone numbers of women staff to unauthorized persons and night shifts for women must be on rotation basis, the reports add.
The new rules also provide for exclusive rooms, toilets and washing space for the privacy of the companies’ women employees, the DH report states.