Panaji: Days after the inspectorate of factories and boilers said that it was reconsidering the proposal to permit women to work beyond 7pm in factories and manufacturing processes, the department permitted women to work the late shift from 7pm to 10pm at Schiffer and Menezes India Private Limited, Verna The decision was taken on a case-to-case basis after the company approached the inspectorate of factories and boilers for permission."There is a provision in the state law under Section 66 of the Factories Act, 1948 to permit women to work till 10pm. If any company wants they have to approach the government for approval," Chief Inspector, Factories and Boilers, Vivek Marathe said.Schiffer And Menezes India Private Limited is in joint venture with the German Schiffer Group."The government of Goa hereby varies the limits laid down in said Clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 66 of the said Act in respect of employment of women in the production department of the factory, namely, Schiffer and Menezes India Private Limited authorising the employment of women in the said department between 7pm and 10pm for a period of two years," Marathe said.There is a strong demand from the local pharmaceutical and food processing sector, for women workers to be permitted to work late hours and in night shifts. The department is considering a proposal to permit women to work the night shift from 10pm to 6am in the pharma sector, the second time a proposal to allow women to work in night shift is under consideration in Goa.At present, women have a time limit between 6 am and 7 pm.For women to be permitted to work the late shift, changes in central legislation through an amendment to Section 66 of the Factories Act will be required along with the necessary approvals from the Union labour ministry.

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