The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was introduced by government in the Parliament. The Bill was referred to the Parliament Standing Committee on Labour. The Parliament Standing Committee submitted its report to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha in December, 2014. The major amendments proposed in the Factories Act, 1948, inter-alia, include provisions relating to imposing obligation upon the occupier to make a provision of Personal Protective Equipment for workers exposed to various hazards; providing canteens facilities in factories; providing for shelters or rest room and lunch rooms in respect of factories employing seventy five or more workers; providing drinking water in all Factories irrespective of number of workers; enhancement of penalties for different violations; permitting women in night shifts if adequate safeguards as regards occupational safety and health, provision of shelter, rest room, lunch rooms, night crèches and ladies’ toilets, adequate protection of their dignity, honour, safety and transportation exist. The existing provisions of Section 4 of the Factories Act, 1948 empowers the State Government to declare different departments to be separate factories.
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