As the first anniversary of the horrific rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital approaches, the West Bengal government has introduced draft rules to bolster the safety of women in workplaces, particularly those on night shifts. The initiative, driven by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s commitment to addressing gender-based violence, responds to widespread outrage over the August 2024 tragedy that exposed systemic safety gaps in public institutions.
The draft outlines 22 measures, focusing on night shifts (8 PM to 6 AM) across sectors like healthcare, IT, and transport. Key provisions include making night shifts optional for women, requiring a minimum of 10 women or one-third of the shift workforce (whichever is higher) to work together, and mandating GPS-tracked transport with trained female security personnel and emergency alert systems.
Organizations must provide ambulances, dedicated rest areas, and canteens to minimize off-premises movement. CCTV cameras at entry/exit points and corridors are mandatory, alongside prominently displayed emergency contact numbers and safety policies communicated in local languages.
A cornerstone of the rules is the formation of internal complaints committees (ICCs) with a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment. These committees must meet quarterly, with non-compliance leading to fines under labor laws or revocation of operational clearances. The state has sought input from IT, health, transport, and police sectors to refine the guidelines, reflecting a collaborative approach to implementation.
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The RG Kar incident, where a 31-year-old trainee doctor was brutally attacked while on duty, sparked nationwide protests and a Supreme Court suo motu case, criticizing West Bengal’s initial response and lack of institutional safety norms. The court emphasized that barring women from night shifts, as briefly proposed, was unconstitutional, urging robust security instead.
The state’s ‘Rattirer Sathi – Helpers of the Night’ program, launched in August 2024, complements these rules with volunteer support, a mobile app with alarm features, and increased night patrols.
These measures align with broader legal frameworks, such as the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, and Supreme Court rulings like Anuj Garg v. Hotel Association (2008), which struck down discriminatory employment restrictions. However, critics argue that enforcement remains a challenge, citing West Bengal’s delay in operationalizing 11 of 17 allocated fast-track courts for rape cases.
As the state refines these rules, their success will hinge on rigorous implementation and societal shifts to combat patriarchal attitudes fueling workplace violence.
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