The Labour Department, Puducherry (LD, Puducherry), on December 15, 2025, issued a notification under section 43 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, prescribing conditions for the employment of women during night hours in all establishments in the Union Territory. The notification has been issued with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor, Puducherry, in pursuance of the powers delegated by the Government of India.
The notification permits employment of women before 6.00 a.m. and after 7.00 p.m., subject to specific safeguards including obtaining prior consent of women employees, ensuring compliance with maternity benefit provisions under the Code on Social Security, 2020, providing adequate transportation facilities for pick-up and drop from the place of residence, and ensuring well-lit workplaces with accessible toilets, washrooms, and drinking water facilities.
It further mandates the provision of safe, secure, and healthy working conditions, prescribes minimum deployment of women employees in underground mines, and requires strict compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, across all establishments to ensure safety, dignity, and equality of women workers during night employment.
[Notification No. G.O.Ms. No.26/LAB/AIL/G/2025]
