In a major step towards promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplaces, the Labour Department, organized a one-day Conference-cum-Workshop on “Sewa through Equality, Promoting Women’s Rights and Safety through Labour Reforms” today at Institute of Hotel Management, Rajbagh, Srinagar.
The event was graced by Labour Commissioner, S. Charandeep Singh, as the Chief Guest in presence of Deputy Labour Commissioner, Central, Masarat Hashim and Deputy Labour Commissioner, Kashmir, Najwan Nazki.
The programme witnessed the participation of Associate Professors from reputed universities, Employers, Factory owners, Trade union leaders, Corporate Employees, Media personalities and Officers of the Labour Department. The Conference-cum-Workshop served as a collaborative platform for discussion, awareness and capacity building on recent labour reforms designed to enhance women’s rights and workplace safety.
The deliberations and technical sessions covered key legislative and policy measures viz. Maternity Benefit Act, Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, Revised provisions under the Factories Act, Equal Remuneration Act, Jammu & Kashmir Shops and Establishment (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2025.
Addressing the gathering, Labour Commissioner, emphasized that Women’s participation in the work places forms the backbone of equitable and inclusive development. He reiterated that the Labour Department remains committed to ensuring dignity, safety, and equality for every woman worker through effective enforcement of progressive labour reforms.
The renowned academic experts including Dr. Shazia Manzoor (Professor & Head, Department of Social Work, Kashmir University), Anamika Gautum (Assistant Professor, School of Law, Kashmir University), Dr. Junaid (Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Kashmir University) and Dr. Shabir Ahmad Najar (Post Doctorate Fellow in the Department of Social Work, Kashmir University) highlighted the importance of regular sensitization and institutional training to strengthen the implementation of women-centric labour legislation and to enhance women’s rights and workplace safety.
In addition, the Senior Advocate, Zahoor Jan, expert on Labour Laws briefed about the recently passed J&K Shops & Establishment Bill by the J&K Legislative Assembly, introducing progressive measures for regulating working hours, safety, and welfare of women employed in the unorganized and service sectors.
The Conference-cum-Workshop concluded by reaffirming the collective commitment of the Government, Judiciary, Academia, Industry, Trade Unions and Civil Society to uphold women’s rights, workplace safety and equality through sustained labour reforms and awareness initiatives across the Union Territory.