Sat Nov 29 19:12:50 UTC 2025: ## News Article Summary
Chennai, India – November 30, 2025 – Trade unions across Tamil Nadu are protesting a proposed amendment by the State government that would allow women to work in hazardous industries, a practice prohibited for over 75 years due to safety concerns. Working women’s wings held demonstrations on Saturday, November 29, arguing the move endangers women’s health and reproductive well-being. Unions criticize the lack of public consultation and the weakening of regulatory oversight in factories. They warn of exposure to toxic substances leading to a range of health problems, including nervous system damage, respiratory illnesses, infertility, and birth defects. They also dismiss the requirement for women’s written consent as a formality in a climate of job insecurity, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the draft amendment notification. Unions say that increased industrial activity and the reduction in factory inspections contribute to unsafe working conditions for women in Tamil Nadu.
Rewritten News Article:
Tamil Nadu Unions Protest Lifting Ban on Women in Hazardous Industries
Chennai, India – November 30, 2025 – A wave of protest swept across Tamil Nadu this weekend as working women’s wings of trade unions rallied against a proposed state government amendment that would permit women to work in traditionally prohibited hazardous industries. The move, which has sparked outrage, could see women employed in sectors such as fibreglass manufacturing, pesticide production, and factories dealing with toxic chemicals.
For over 75 years, regulations have restricted women from such roles due to documented health and safety concerns. Unions argue that lifting this ban would expose women to dangerous toxins, leading to a myriad of health problems, including respiratory illnesses, kidney damage, and reproductive complications.
“We are deeply concerned about the long-term health consequences for women workers,” stated Malathi Chittibabu, State Treasurer of CITU. “Portraying this as an empowering move is misleading. The risks to their health and reproductive systems are undeniable.”
Critics have also slammed the government for a lack of transparency, pointing to the absence of public consultation before issuing the draft amendment. Further fueling concerns is a perceived weakening of regulatory oversight, with unions noting a decline in factory inspections despite increased industrial activity.
The proposed amendment includes a provision requiring women to provide written consent before taking on hazardous work or night shifts. However, unions dismiss this as a mere formality, arguing that economic pressures and job insecurity leave workers with little real choice.
The unions have issued a strong demand for the immediate withdrawal of the draft amendment notification, emphasizing that the health and safety of women workers must take precedence over perceived economic gains. The protests highlight a growing concern over worker safety and the potential exploitation of women in Tamil Nadu’s industrial sector.
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