The Karnataka State Legal Services Authority has asked the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) to protect the interests of pregnant conductors in the workplace.
The authority shot off a letter on Monday to the corporation after being approached by a few women conductors with a list of grievances, including shifts as long as 12 hours.
Women conductors remain under-represented at the BMTC, which has a workforce of approximately 33,000 personnel across all its departments. Conductors and drivers account for a bulk of the staff — 25,000 employees — but the number of female conductors is only 1,512.
Long hours
In its letter, the legal services authority said women were “constrained to work as conductors in buses even during the time of six months of pregnancy”. They start duty at 8.30 a.m. and work till 9 p.m.
The women said though bus travel is prohibited in the later stage, they have no choice but to work. “If six-month pregnant conductors travel in BMTC buses on duty, it causes severe health problems for both the mother and child in the womb,” stated the legal services authority in its letter.
‘Be sensitive’
The conductors also informed the authority that they are not often in a position to use a restroom, as a result of which they often cut down on water intake. “Pregnant women are given a preferential seat in public transport but the pregnant lady conductors are made to carry out trips,” stated the letter. The legal authority urged that every institution be sensitive in this regard.
It has asked the BMTC to come out with a circular or order allowing pregnant conductors to be assigned to other works and provide maternity leave as per the Karnataka Civil Services Rules.
When contacted, BMTC Managing Director N. V. Prasad said necessary steps would be taken by the corporation at the earliest.