Lok Sabha Question No. 3039 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-17
Subject: Export Target for Textiles
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: VIJAY KUMAR S.R.

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3039

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 17-12-2015

## EXPORT TARGET FOR TEXTILES

## 3039. SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has raised the annual export target for textiles from  $ 36 billion to $ 43 billion as part of the plan to leverage the sharp depreciation of rupee;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  a  proposal  to  allow  women  to  work  in  night  shifts  in garment units by amending the laws as is being done in the Information Technology sector;
- (d) if  so,  whether  the  Government  had  made  a  similar move  in  2012 to  facilitate  the  night  shifts  for women in garment making units; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज य मंरी ( स्त्वतंर प्रभार ) ( श्री संतोष कु मार गंगवार )

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) & (b): The Government has raised the annual export target for textiles  from  US  $  36  billion in 2013-14,  US $ 45 billion in 2014-15 and US$ 47.5 billion in 2015-16, keeping in view likely growth in textiles exports and international demand.

- (c): Yes, Madam. The Government is contemplating to amend the provisions contained in Section 66 of the Factories Act, 1948, related to women for working in night shifts by substituting  following:-

'66. The provisions of this Chapter shall, in their application to women in factories be supplemented by the following further restrictions, namely:-

- (i) no exemption from the provisions of section 54 may be granted in respect of any women;
- (ii) there shall be no change of shifts except after a weekly holiday or any other holiday; and
- (iii) no woman shall be required or allowed to work in any factory except between the hours of 6 A.M. and 7. P.M:

'Provided that where the State Government or any person, authorized by it in this behalf, is satisfied that adequate safeguards exist in a factory as regards occupational safety and health, provision of shelter, rest rooms, lunch rooms, night crèches and ladies' toilets, equal opportunity for women workers, adequate protection of their dignity, honour and safety, protection from sexual harassment, and their transportation from the factory premises to the door step of their residence, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, after  due  consultation  with,  and  obtaining  the  consent  of,  the women workers, workers,  the  employer, representative  organization  of  the  employer  and  representative  organisation  of workers  of the concerned factory, allow women to work between 7.00 P.M. and 6.00 A.M. in such factory subject to such conditions as may be specified therein:

Provided  further  that  no  such  permission  shall  be  granted  to woman worker  during  a  period  of sixteen weeks before and after her childbirth, of which at least eight weeks shall be before the expected childbirth,  and  for  such  additional  period,  if  any,  as  specified  in  the  medical  certificate  stating  that  it  is necessary for the health of the woman worker or her child:

Provided also that the restriction contained in the preceding proviso may be relaxed at the express request of a woman worker on the basis of the medical certificate stating that neither her health nor that of her child will be endangered.'

(d) & (e): No, Madam.