Odisha Proposes Amendments to Allow Women in All Factory Operations

The Labour & E.S.I. Department of the Government of Odisha issued a notification on July 28, 2025, publishing a draft of certain rules intended to further amend the Odisha Factories Rules, 1950. This delegated legislation, proposed under the powers conferred by Section 112 of the Factories Act, 1948, aims to introduce significant changes regarding the employment of women in factory settings across the state. The notification served as a public announcement, inviting objections or suggestions from any person likely to be affected by the proposed rules. A period of forty-five days from the date of publication in the Odisha Gazette was provided for the submission of such feedback, after which the State Government would take the draft into consideration. The proposed rules, to be known as the Odisha Factories (Amendment) Rules, 2025, are slated to come into force on the date of their final publication in the Odisha Gazette.

The core of the proposed amendments involves a comprehensive revision of Rule 97 of the Odisha Factories Rules, 1950, specifically impacting various Schedules including II, III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI, XII, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, and XXII. These revisions systematically remove existing words or phrases that previously restricted or differentiated the employment of women in certain operations. Concurrently, new paragraphs are proposed for insertion into each of these Schedules, explicitly stating that women workers may be allowed to work in all operations. A crucial accompanying provision mandates the ensuring of appropriate protective gear or equipment for all workers as per rule 62H, with a specific emphasis on pregnant and nursing women. The legislation provided: “Allowing women in all operations - Women workers may be allowed to work in all operations, provided that while appropriate protective gear or equipment shall be ensured for all workers as per rule 62H, it must also be specifically ensured for pregnant and nursing women.” This uniform amendment across multiple schedules signifies a broad policy shift.

The legislative intent behind these proposed amendments is to foster greater gender equality and expand employment opportunities for women within the industrial sector of Odisha. The earlier legal position, implicitly or explicitly, contained restrictions on women's participation in certain factory operations, which the new draft rules seek to eliminate. By removing these statutory barriers, the State Government aims to address existing gaps and limitations in the regulatory framework that may have hindered women's access to a wider range of jobs. The amendments introduce new rights for women workers, allowing them to engage in all factory operations, while simultaneously reinforcing obligations on employers to ensure a safe working environment. The specific mention of protective gear for pregnant and nursing women underscores a commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of vulnerable workers, aligning with broader policy rationales for inclusive and safe workplaces. This move reflects a progressive approach to labour laws, seeking to empower women economically while maintaining essential safety standards.

Keywords: Odisha Factories Rules, Women Workers, Labour Law, Factory Operations, Gender Equality, Workplace Safety, Draft Rules, Factories Act 1948, Odisha Government Geo Tags: India, Odisha District: Not Applicable