Section 24 in The Maharashtra Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Rules, 1968
24. Creches.
(1)The employer shall submit for the approval of the competent authority detailed plans in triplicate of the rooms to be constructed or adopted for use as creche.(2)The creche shall conform to the following standards, namely :-(a)the creche shall be conveniently accessible to the mothers of the children accommodated therein and so far as is reasonably practicable is shall not be situated in close proximity to any part of the industrial premises where obnoxious fumes, dust or odours are given off;(b)the room or rooms used as creche shall be soundly constructed and all the walls arid roof thereof shall be of heat resisting materials and shall be waterproof;(c)the floor and internal walls of the creche upto a height of 1.2 metres shall be so laid or finished as to provide a smooth imprevious surface;(d)the height of each room used as a creche shall be not less than 3.7 metres from the floor to the lowest part of the roof and there shall not be less than 1.9 square metres of floor area for each child to be accommodated therein;(e)effective and suitable provision shall be made in every part of a creche for securing and maintaining adequate ventilation by the circulation of fresh air;(f)the creche shall be adequately furnished and equipped, and in particular, there shall be made available -(i)for each child of more than two years of age a suitable bedding;(ii)for each child of not more than two years of age a suitable cot or cradle with the necessary bedding;(iii)at least one chair or other similar sitting accommodation for the use of each mother while she is feeding or attending to her child; and(iv)a sufficient supply of suitable toys for the order by children.(3)There shall be in or adjoining a creche a suitable washing room for the washing of the children and their clothing and such room shall conform to the following standards, namely(a)the floor and internal walls of the room upto a height of 0.9 m. shall be so laid or finished as to provide a smooth impervious surface;(b)the room shall be adequately laid and ventilated and the floor shall be effectively drained and maintained in a clean and tidy condition;(c)the supply of water for washing shall be from a hygienic source, and if practicable, shall be through taps;(d)supply of at least 22.7 litres of water per day for each child shall be, made available;(e)an adequate supply of clean clothes, soap and clean towels shall be made available for the use of each child while it is in the creche;(f)adjoining the wash room, a septic type latrine shall be provided for the sole use of the children in creche and the same shall be kept clean and in a sanitary condition.(4)The employer shall make available at least half-a-pint of pure milk for each child on every day is accommodated in the creche and the mother of such child shall, in the course of daily work, be allowed two intervals of not less than fifteen minutes to feed the child.(5)In addition to providing milk in accordance with the provisions of sub-rule (4) the employer shall provide for children above two years of age who are accommodated in the creche an adequate supply of wholesome refreshment.(6)The employer shall appoint a woman trained in the Care of children and infants and sufficient number of ayahs for the purpose of looking after the children accommodated in a creche and he shall also provide suitable equipment and facilities for the purpose.Explanation. - The number of ayahs to be appointed in the creche shall be calculated at the rate of one ayah for thirty children.(7)The employer shall provide for the staff employed in a creche suitable clean clothes for use while on duty in the creche.Explanation. - In this rule 'child' means a child under six years of age of female employee:Provided that, nothing in this rule shall apply in respect of such industrial premises as the State Government may by order specify in this behalf, regard being had to the accommodation provided or available in such premises, and the number of married women or widows employed.
