The Madras High Court order lifting a ban on employing women for night shifts in spinning mills has generated much debate. The mill owners argue that if women can be employed for night shifts in call centres and BPOs, why can't they be employed in spinning mills?
There was a ban on making female employees work in night shifts in the mills by the central government's labour department. It was challenged in the Madras High Court by the spinning mill owners' association from Dindigul region of Tamil Nadu. In 2002, the high court had issued an order lifting the ban by the central government's labour department that disallowed women from working in night shifts at spinning mills. Then, Tamil Nadu government intervened in the case and challenged the court's decision. But finally the court favoured the mill owners.
“We haven't got a single woman as the Chief Justice of India even after six decades of Independence. In such a case how will you justify employing women in night shifts at spinning mills where a lot of physical labour is involved. The court order will lead to the exploitation of working class women,” says Balabharathi, a CPI(M) MLA. She adds, “When a labourer is employed for the night shift, he/she must be paid double wages, but that does not happen. Besides, most of the cases of violence against women occur during the night, so forcing women to work in night shifts will not be a good step.”
Working in night shifts creates extra stress. “A normal human being needs a good night's sleep, especially between 2am and 5am which is the time for metabolic update for our body to recreate energy,” says Dr. Shalini, a leading psychiatrist. Venkatesan, a member of the Dindigul region mill owners' association argues, “When women work in night shifts at call centers, police stations, and BPOs, why can't they work in spinning mills? Women demand equal rights, so they shouldn't be shying away from working as hard as men do.”
What many fear is that those who go to work in the spinning mills are women from the lower strata of the society who are more vulnerable and prone to being subjected to exploitation. Their case cannot be compared to educated, empowered women employed in software firms and call centres.
“At present the issue is about women's security at night. If the system is regulated and women are given protection there is nothing wrong in working in night shifts. But some other matters like proper wages and rest must also be taken care of,” says Vanathi, an advocate and a BJP functionary.
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