Digital illustration of balanced scales showing a female factory worker for gender equity on one side and a factory gear for labour rights, symbolizing the Rajasthan Factories Amendment Bill 2025.

Rajasthan Factories Amendment Bill 2025: Night Shifts & Gender Equity

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Digital illustration of balanced scales showing a female factory worker for gender equity on one side and a factory gear for labour rights, symbolizing the Rajasthan Factories Amendment Bill 2025.

🏭 Rajasthan Factories Amendment Bill 2025: Labour Law, Women’s Safety & Workplace Flexibility

The Rajasthan Factories Amendment Bill, 2025 marks a significant reform in India’s labour law framework.
By allowing women to work night shifts (with consent and safety measures) and introducing flexible working hours,
this bill aims to balance gender equality,
industrial productivity, and worker welfare.
But does it really succeed in striking that balance? Let’s explore.

📜 Background: The Factories Act & Restrictions on Women

The Factories Act, 1948 is the cornerstone of labour law in India, regulating working hours,
safety standards, and welfare measures for factory workers. Traditionally, women were prohibited from
working between 7 PM and 6 AM due to safety concerns.

With globalization and changing industrial needs, several states have pushed for reforms.
The Rajasthan amendment continues this trend by updating laws to match today’s workplace realities.

✨ Key Features of the Rajasthan Factories Amendment Bill, 2025

  • 👩‍🏭 Women in Night Shifts: Women can now work between 7 PM – 6 AM with written consent.
  • 🛡️ Employer Responsibility: Companies must ensure transport, security, and workplace facilities for women employees.
  • ⏰ Extended Working Hours: Shifts may go up to 12 hours per day, provided weekly limits are maintained.
  • 📅 Flexible Scheduling: Employers may adopt flexible weekly shifts to improve operational efficiency.
  • ⚖️ Liability: Employers face strict penalties for failure to provide safety measures.

📊 Impact Analysis

✅ Positive Outcomes

  • Boosts job opportunities for women in manufacturing and related sectors.
  • Encourages gender equality in industrial workforce participation.
  • Improves Rajasthan’s image as an investment-friendly state.

⚠️ Concerns

  • Safety during night commute remains a challenge, especially outside metro cities.
  • Risk of worker fatigue due to extended 12-hour shifts.
  • Smaller factories may struggle with compliance and security arrangements.

🌍 Comparative Perspective

Rajasthan joins states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, which already allow women
to work night shifts with safeguards. Globally, ILO conventions emphasize both
equal employment opportunities and
worker safety.

💬 Criticism & Debates

Labour unions argue that extended hours may exploit workers, while women’s rights groups remain cautious about
safety at night. Industry associations, however, welcome the move for giving businesses more flexibility.
The key question remains: can gender safety and operational efficiency truly go hand-in-hand?

✅ Conclusion

The Rajasthan Factories Amendment Bill, 2025 is a landmark step towards modernizing
labour law and promoting gender equity in the workforce. Its success, however, will depend on
strict enforcement of safety provisions and responsible employer practices.

For law aspirants, this bill is a key case study in labour law, gender equality, and constitutional rights (Articles 14, 15, 16).
Stay updated with more insights on our legal blogs 📰 and
Judiciary Study Material 📚.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

👩‍🏭 Can women now legally work night shifts in Rajasthan factories?
✅ Yes. The 2025 Amendment allows women to work between 7 PM – 6 AM, but only with their written consent and provided the employer ensures safety measures like transport and security.

🛡️ What safety measures must employers provide for women employees?
Employers must provide safe transport, security guards, proper lighting, and workplace facilities. Failure to do so can attract penalties under the Act.

⏰ Does the bill allow 12-hour work shifts?
Yes, shifts may extend up to 12 hours, but weekly working hours cannot exceed the legal maximum. This is meant to give flexibility to factories while avoiding overwork.

⚖️ How does this amendment promote gender equity?
By removing restrictions on night work, the bill provides equal job opportunities for women, aligning with Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution (equality provisions).

⚠️ What are the criticisms of this bill?
Critics argue that 12-hour shifts may exploit workers, and safety during late-night commutes is still a challenge in smaller towns. Labour unions demand stricter monitoring.

📚 Why is this important for law aspirants?
This bill is a key case study in labour law, gender rights, and constitutional protections. Judiciary aspirants may find questions in RJS, UPSC Law Optional, and LLM exams linked to this reform.

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