Imphal, April 21: Taking into account of the long irrational working hours and the difficulties and inconveniences face by women wage earners at the shops and other commercial establishments while returning home, FREINDS, KANGLEICHAL and CHITUWA have fixed the closing hours of these wage earners at 5:30 pm during summer season and 4:30 pm in winter season.

During a press briefing today at the office of Federation of Regional Indigenous Societies (FREINDS) at Keishampat, the three civil societies categorically warned the shop owners and employees to abide by the directive or face stern action at their own risk.

They also informed that two teams comprising of volunteers of CHITUWA and KANGLEICHAL would be commencing inspection against non-compliance from April 27 in all the shops and commercial establishments of Paona Bazar and Thangal Bazar.

If any woman is found working beyond the prescribed hour, the proprietor or owner would be held responsible for any untoward incident resulting thereof, they cautioned.

On the other hand, it maintained that if any woman continues to work beyond the prescribed hour of her own accord, any crime committed against her during that time would be considered her personal problem and it would not be perceived as a social issue.

They also appealed to civil societies of Manipur not to extend any form of cooperation as and when such crimes are committed against women employees defying their directive.

Speaking to the reporters, president of FREINDS Sapamcha Jadumani asserted that many Manipuri women are working in establishments run by nonManipuris for 11 hours in a day at minimum wages.

Moreover many other educated women are forced to work from 8 am till 7 pm in such establishments for a paltry monthly salary of Rs 1500/2000, he observed .

Noting that besides the fragile law and order situation in the State, Jadumani observed that women working in late night breeds various forms of crimes in Manipur.

He maintained that all the proprietors and managers of shops and other commercial establishments must not act contrary to the values and traditions of Manipuri society even as they pay their employees.

Taking part in the press meet, general secretary of KANGLEICHAL E Tamphatombi mentioned of the harsh working conditions under such private establishments which compelled its employees to work 11 hours in a day with a single holiday in a whole year either in the Ningol Chakouba day or Cheiraoba day.

The three civil societies further stated that no harassment should be meted out to employees on account of the new working hours.

They also remarked that any harassment or ill-treatment should not be kept concealed for fear of losing job while appealing to discharge their duties with dignity.

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