West Bengal Boosts Workplace Safety for Women

The West Bengal government has introduced several measures to enhance the safety of women working night shifts, especially in state-run hospitals. The initiatives include the development of safe zones, a mobile app for emergencies, and the flagship programme ‘Rattirer Sathi – Helpers of the Night'.

The West Bengal government announced a series of initiatives on Saturday aimed at ensuring the safety of women working night shifts, particularly in state-run hospitals.

During a press meet, Chief Advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, introduced measures like designated retiring rooms and CCTV-monitored safe zones. This comes amid protests across the state following the alleged rape and murder of a medic at RG Kar hospital.

Additionally, the government aims to expand the scope of safety to hostels and other places where women work night shifts through the ‘Rattirer Sathi – Helpers of the Night' program involving volunteers. A mobile app with alarm features, designed for emergency communication with local police, is also in the pipeline.

Furthermore, authorities will encourage state and private establishments to form two-member women teams to enhance safety during night shifts. Bandyopadhyay emphasized, “We have also recommended maintaining the right ratio of male and female security staff at workplaces.”

Breath analyser tests and night police patrols will be implemented in medical colleges, hospitals, and women’s hostels. “Wherever possible, night duty may be avoided for women. We hope these measures are implemented at the earliest,” he added.