The murder of techie Pratibha Srikantamurthy two years ago, brought to the fore the question of security for women in night shift. But the government, quite characteristically, instead of tackling the angle of security during night shifts, began speaking of proscribing night shifts for women.

The government’s recent move to invoke existing labour laws to ban women on night shift evoked all-round condemnation. The government beat a retreat and amended the laws concerned opening up night shifts for women. The new amendment seems to have instilled confidence in a large number of women working in several companies across the City.

Women say their working conditions in night shifts have improved. Employers, they say, are making concerted efforts to evolve a humane and just rota for night shifts, check harassment at the workplace and provide a good working environment.

“The amendments have been made to better the working conditions of women. We don't go on regular checks in each company because of shortage of staff. But we carry on random checks once in a while and cases of violation are dealt with firmly," says a senior official with the Labour Commission and adds, “we hope to step up our checks when more labour inspectors are hired by the end of the year.”

Women say that night shift isn't as harsh as it used to be. "If we're the last to be dropped off at a place, an escort (normally carrying a baton) always accompanies us. We're supposed to sign a roster specifying where we've been dropped off, who the driver was, and if there's any change in the locality where we have to be dropped off, we have to send a formal email to the transport department regarding the change in the dropping schedule," says Tisha with American Online.

She says that efforts are being made to avert tragedies of any kind for women employees. 

"It is definitely safe to work in night shifts as the company takes care of our security. A security guard is sent if a woman employee has to be dropped," says Deepti K, Voice and Accent Trainer.

Women who have families too say they find night shifts a lot more convenient because it gives them a chance to attend to their household chores during the day. "I'm happy working at night, as I am able to complete all my work in the morning including paying of bills. Since most of my friends are working in similar shifts we get time to meet in the morning," says Deepa B T working with a leading company in the City.