Six months ago, 30-year-old Pari came to Gurgaon from Kolkata, hoping to earn enough to support her husband who has cancer. She first found a job as a sales girl at a shopping centre, and a few days ago she was employed as a security guard at Big Bazaar in Sahara Mall.

But a day after the Gurgaon administration directed malls and shops to seek permission from the Labour department if they want women to work beyond 8 pm, Pari is worried about her future.

“I joined as a security guard recently. This job has shifts. Sometimes it will be beyond 8 pm. I have no option, but do the duty even if I have to work beyond 8 pm,” says Pari.

The administration direction came after a 23-year-old woman was abducted from near Sahara Mall and gangraped by seven men early Monday.

“It is unsafe for women at night. But you cannot stop women from working because the law and order situation is poor. They should step up the vigil,” said Pari who lives in Chakarpur behind Sahara Mall.

Residents and shopowners also blamed roadside liquor vends for increase in the number of crimes against women.

“Near every roadside liquor shop, one finds an eatery where people eat and drink. This is a problem area. If these things are taken care of, there will be no need for such measures (seeking permission to let women work late),” said Vikram Rana, designated head of National Restaurants Association of India, Gurgaon chapter.

Kross Lalnunnei, who works at Spa Evanthe, said there is nothing wrong in asking an employer to take care of his women staff.

“Our spa has 16 girls and all get dropped home, be it Gurgaon or Delhi. Although no untoward incident has happened, I feel that it is not necessary. Our first shift ends at 7.30 pm, so they do not get dropped home. But in the other shifts, there are home drops,” said Lalnunnei who is from Manipur.

Lalnunnei said she was working in Gurgaon for the last three years.