**Executive Summary**
This document, published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on October 1, 2025, contains draft amendments to the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950. The amendments primarily involve replacing references to "women" with "pregnant women" in several schedules. Objections or suggestions regarding these amendments must be submitted in duplicate to the Secretary to Government, Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department, Chennai, within 45 days of the publication date.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **General Update:** The amendments replace the term "women" with "pregnant women" throughout the specified schedules and paragraphs of the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950.
* **Specific Rule 95 Amendments:**
* In Schedules II, III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVII, XXII, XXIII, XXV, XXVII, XXVIII and XXIX.
* The heading "Prohibition relating to women and young persons" is substituted with "Prohibition relating to pregnant women and young persons."
* The expression "No woman" is substituted with "No pregnant woman."
* **Specific Schedule XVI, Part IX Amendments**
* The heading "Restrictions on the employment of young persons under 18 years of age and women" is substituted with "Restrictions on the employment of young persons under 18 years of age and Pregnant women"
* wherever the expression "women" occurs, the expression "pregnant women" shall be substituted.
* **Specific Schedule XXIV Amendments:**
* In paragraph 9, the heading "Employment of women and children" is substituted with "Employment of pregnant women and children". The expression "Women workers" is substituted with "Pregnant women workers".
* **Amendment to Rule 84B:**
* Sub-rule (6) is substituted to require that at least ten women workers must be employed on night shift and one third of the Supervisors/Shift Incharge/Foremen shall be women as well and a written consent shall be obtained from the women workers who are interested to work in night shifts.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Factory Owners/Occupiers
* **Impact:** They must adhere to the amended rules regarding the employment and prohibition of pregnant women in specific roles and schedules. They also ensure that at least ten women workers are employed on night shift and one third of the Supervisors/Shift Incharge/Foremen shall be women as well and a written consent shall be obtained from the women workers who are interested to work in night shifts.
* **Action Required:** Review and update workplace policies, training, and signage to reflect the new terminology and regulations concerning pregnant women workers. Ensure compliance with the new requirements for women employed on night shift.
**Stakeholder:** Women Workers (especially Pregnant Women)
* **Impact:** The amendments clarify and potentially strengthen protections specifically for pregnant women in the workplace.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of their rights and the specific protections now in place for pregnant women in factories. Workers interested in working in night shifts must provide written consent to the factory owner.
**Stakeholder:** Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department
* **Impact:** Responsible for enforcing the amended rules and addressing any violations.
* **Action Required:** Update inspection checklists and training materials to reflect the changes. Process and consider any objections or suggestions received regarding the draft amendments.
**Stakeholder:** Director of Industrial Safety and Health
* **Impact:** Responsible for forwarding objections or suggestions regarding the draft amendments to the Secretariat
* **Action Required:** Forward objections or suggestions regarding the draft amendments to the Secretary to Government, Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department, Chennai.
Key Entities Referenced
Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950: The core regulation being amended in the notification, governing factory operations in Tamil Nadu.
Factories Act, 1948: The central legislation providing the legal basis for the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules. The amendment is made in exercise of powers conferred by section 112 of this Act.
Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department: The department within the Tamil Nadu government responsible for the amendment and implementation of the Factories Rules.
Tamil Nadu Government Gazette: The official publication where the notification of the draft amendments is published.
Chennai: Location where objections/suggestions regarding the draft amendments should be addressed.