The Department of Labour, Punjab on November 28, 2025, issued the notification regarding the grant to exempt to employ women in the night shift.
The following has been stated namely: -
• The earlier 2022 notification on employing women in night shifts under the Punjab Shops & Commercial Establishments Act, 1958 is superseded and revised conditions are issued.
• All shops and establishments in Punjab may employ women in night shifts with their consent, subject to mandatory safety and compliance conditions.
• Employers must fully implement the POSH Act, 2013, including safe working environment, display of penal consequences, Internal Committee constitution, awareness programmes, and support during inquiries.
• Employers must assist Internal/Local Committees during inquiries, ensure attendance of parties, provide required information, and treat sexual harassment as misconduct under service rules.
• Non-compliance with POSH provisions will attract penalties under Section 26 of the Act and may lead to prosecution under other applicable laws.
• Any incident of sexual harassment must be reported to the Labour Inspector and the Internal Complaints Committee.
• Employers must ensure proper lighting, electricity backup, and safe movement of women workers throughout the night shift areas.
• Minimum deployment rules: women must work in batches of at least 5 or 2/3rd of shift strength (whichever is less), along with at least two women security personnel, CCTV coverage, and 45-day retention of night-shift recordings.
• Safe transport must be provided, well-lit vehicles, no curtains/dark films, helpline numbers displayed, and proper logs of drivers, helpers, and security staff.
• Additional obligations include first-aid/medical facilities, separate boarding arrangements for women, adherence to working hours and labour laws, periodic grievance meetings, and compliance for both new and existing establishments. Exemptions will be auto-approved within 24 hours upon online application and may be revoked with 15-day notice.
[Notification No. Labour-Lab0PSCA/2/2021/-5L/656]
