Mamata govt launches ‘Rattierer Saathi’ scheme for safety of women working night shifts

KOLKATA: In a bid to enhance the safety of women working in night shifts in the government and private sectors, the West Bengal Health Department on Monday issued a comprehensive set of measures and launched a flagship programme called ‘Rattierer Saathi’ – Night Helpers.

The new guidelines will apply to medical schools, hospitals and hostels where similar regulations are not yet in force, we read in the regulation.

In line with these guidelines, separate toilets with washrooms will be set up for women and volunteers will be assigned to duty during night shifts.

“There should be separate designated toilets with toilets for women. Women volunteers will be on duty at night. Safe zones for women will be identified and created with full CCTV monitoring.

“A special mobile phone app with alarm devices will be developed which will be mandatory for all working women to download. The app will be connected to local police stations/police control centre,” it added.

The regulation states that in emergency situations the hotline numbers 100 and 112 should be widely used.

To ensure safer working conditions, safety inspections and breathalyzer tests will be carried out regularly.

All organisations are also encouraged to set up Vishakha Committees to address issues of sexual harassment, if such committees do not already exist, the release said.

Organisations have been advised to arrange work schedules so that women work in pairs or teams on night shifts, which helps ensure mutual awareness of each other’s movements.

Private institutions are similarly encouraged to implement the “Rattierer Saathi” programme, it added.

“Night police patrols will be conducted in all medical schools and hospitals, women’s shelters and other places. Adequate drinking water facilities will be provided on all floors of hospitals.

All faculty, staff and security guards in medical schools and hospitals will carry ID cards.

The police will deploy security officers to all medical colleges, hospitals and district hospitals to ensure overall security supervision,” the statement said.

“The working hours of women should not exceed 12 hours at a time. Wherever possible, night shifts for women should be avoided to the extent possible,” it said.