Nasscom, an organisation that represents and sets the policy framework for the Indian software industry, is compiling best practices for providing security to women workers on night shift in BPO and IT companies, and to develop it as a code of conduct for the industry.
Speaking at a seminar on ‘Security Measures for Night Shift Women Workers’ organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW), Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, All India Federation of Women Lawyers and Assocham, Sucharita Eashwar of Nasscom’s product, gender inclusivity and mentorship initiatives, said, “This is being brought out in the wake of cases of atrocities being committed on women workers in Pune and Bangalore in the last two to three years.”
“In order to encourage BPO and IT companies to hire and retain women, Nasscom is also popularising gender inclusivity programme. The programme is to provide women equal opportunities at the workplace. Presently, the industry has 30 per cent women workforce and there is a need to grow it to the 50 per cent level,” she added.
Nasscom is planning an ‘IT women’s leadership summit’ in Bangalore on November 19 and November 20 to facilitate women leaders and managers to discuss women’s issues. The meet is also to study recent government regulations and help companies implement them.
Sucharita, listing out some of the best practices being adopted by companies, said, “Some companies have anti-sexual harassment and anti-discrimination among its polices and also put in place proper reporting mechanism as well.”
A few companies have begun to encourage work-from-home, part-time and tele-working. For working mothers, childcare, sabbaticals and flexible rejoining policies (especially after a one-year break in service) are being included. “Companies do not want to let go of good experience. We do not want to waste talent,”she pointed out.
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P M Narendraswamy, Karnataka minister for women and child welfare, said, “High income has attracted women to ITôBT sector which has the night shift component. To safeguard women’s interest, we are studying different approaches adopted in Mumbai and other cities.
“At present a set of guidelines have been given to the companies and we plan to initiate more dialogue with the industry before taking up any legislation,” he added.
Speaking earlier, Girija Vyas, chairperson, National Commission for Women, said, “Urban night scape is primarily a male domain that often represents and spaces of exclusion for women. But women account for about 40 per cent of 350,000 call centre employees in the country and value of business generated by them is close to $5 billion.”
Stressing on BPO and IT companies to go in for a self code of conduct, which is compatible to state government laws and NCW guidelines, she said “In addition to the above, the women employees should have security consciousness on their part as well. Many young BPO employees are guilty of not behaving professionally with drivers. They are found to be not punctual and forcing drivers to speed, becoming over friendly with them, requesting drivers to drop them at unscheduled spots and getting into quarrels with them.”
Quoting statistics from a study conducted by Assocham, Vyas said, “Responses from women employees shows that 28.9 per cent of the respondents interviewed feel insecure in the night shift work, the rest 71.1 per cent do not feel insecure during night shift work.”
It is observed that despite the high rate of crime in metropolitan cities, insecurity is quite low among women employees on night shift.
Following are city wise responses: Delhi 15 per cent, Mumbai 18 per cent, Chennai 24 per cent, Kolkata 22 per cent, Hyderabad 38 per cent, Ahmedabad 29 per cent, Pune 24 per cent, Bangalore 44 per cent and Ludhiana 45 per cent.
In Bangalore, Pratibha’s murder case affected the situation adversely. In the case of Ludhiana gender discrimination could have played a major role coupled with people’s orthodox attitude and rigid behaviour towards women right from childhood.