Mumbai, a city once known for its nightlife, has been polled as one of the most-unsafe city for women working in night shifts in sectors such as IT, ITeS, media, aviation and hospitals.
The survey, conducted done by industry body Assocham’s Social Development Foundation arm, assumes importance as a 22-year-old photojournalist, working with a leading English magazine, was gang-raped while on an assignment at Lower Parel in Central Mumbai.
According to the survey, about 82 per cent feel insecure working in night shifts, while the figure was the least for Pune at 32 per cent.
About 46 per cent of women working with small-scale firms are worried and concerned about moment outside; nearly 31 per cent in the medium sector is quite apprehensive about their safety and security, particularly after night sets in. D. S. Rawat, Secretary General, Assocham, said, “In sector-specific cases — media, BPOs, ITeS and hospitals — women employees are the most vulnerable and prone to both physical and non-physical attacks especially after duty hours. As a result , female employees remain extremely concerned about security and anxiety is filled with them in high degrees.”
Nursing homes
In nursing homes, including hospitals, 53 percent women employees continue to suffer from insecurity.
In the leather and garment industry, the feeling of insecurity is 45 per cent and 34 per cent, respectively, adds the survey. The fast-growing BPO/ ITeS, media, hospitality and civil aviation industry has generated parallel employment for cab drivers. When it comes to safety at work, about 76 per cent of women on night shifts feel insecure, because of lack of adequate transport arrangements by employers.
Those working in Mumbai and Pune face the maximum commuting problem and those in Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore face the least, adds the survey.
The survey, meanwhile, suggested that companies should have an internal code to ensure security of their women employees, and take measures to ensure that they feel secure.
It is felt that 65 per cent of employees have to face lot of problems resulting in mental tension, if they have to work in the night shift.
Only 32 per cent of the respondents perceived better pay package to be a major attraction for working in night shifts.
The rest responded that they are left with no other choice.