NHRC sends notice to Kerala govt over conditions of female workers at textile retail shops

"Allegedly, their 'right to sit' and 'right to pee', which are basic human rights, have not been protected in the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, 1960. The Commission has given the concerned State Authorities two weeks to respond," read the NHRC statement.

While issuing the notices, the Commission has observed that the allegations raised a serious issue of violation of Right to Health and Right to Dignity of the female workers in the textile retail shops.

"The Government is bound to take necessary steps to protect the human rights of these female workers," read the statement.

According to the complaint, many textile shops have not even set up toilets for the workers in the work space in Kerala. Even at the shops, where toilets have been provided, permission is required from the manager to use it during working hours. The prolonged standing has resulted in the medical problem of "Varicose Veins" for many of them.

"Allegedly, there have been strikes by women workers against the continuous ignorance of the Authorities towards their issues. In the year 2014, the Government of Kerala did pass an Ordinance amending the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, 1960 but while doing so, it did not take any action to protect the interests of a large group of unorganized sectors workers. The amended Act did not make difference to the working conditions of female workers in the textile retail shops," read the statement.