State govt wants firms to increase security for women on night shifts

The Maharashtra government has come out with a detailed list of suggestions for all establishments that have women employees working on night shifts. The list contains standard operating procedure (SOP) to be followed by such companies and their employees for the safe transportation of women staff.

The Maharashtra government has come out with a detailed list of suggestions for all establishments that have women employees working on night shifts. The list contains standard operating procedure (SOP) to be followed by such companies and their employees for the safe transportation of women staff.

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On Tuesday, the state government submitted the list to the Bombay high court.

The suggestion came during the course of a hearing for confirmation of the death sentence handed down to two Pune residents — Purushottam Borate and Pradeep Kokade — for kidnapping, raping and killing a BPO employee in 2007.

The list of suggestions includes important points such as evolving an approved SOP by the establishment and ensuring compliance about a training programme for employees, security staff, and inquiry to be conducted if SOPs are not followed.

Annual police verification will be made compulsory for drivers of vehicles transporting employees. The government also proposes to make it mandatory that the security is hired from licensed and approved agencies and that a security personnel accompanies women during transportation after completion of the shift.

The list also suggested that women working in night shifts be provided with pick-up and drop services, trained in self-defence and provided with personal safety gadgets.