Chandigarh opens doors to 24×7 business operations

In a landmark move, the Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh issued a notification on 14 August 2025 under the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958 (as applicable to Chandigarh), permitting all registered shops and commercial establishments to operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, the approval comes with stringent conditions aimed at ensuring employee welfare, workplace safety, and gender-sensitive protections.

For employers, the notification is both an opportunity and a responsibility. On one hand, the ability to remain open round-the-clock creates immense flexibility to meet consumer demand, expand operations, and increase competitiveness in an evolving marketplace. On the other hand, establishments must strictly comply with detailed statutory safeguards to retain this privilege. These include ensuring weekly rest days without wage deductions, breaks after every five hours of work, and capping working hours at nine hours per dayand48 hours per week. Failure to adhere could expose employers to penalties and even lead to revocation of the exemption.

A major thrust of the order is the protection of female employees, with specific obligations for establishments operating beyond 8:00 p.m. Employers must obtain written consent for women working late shifts, arrange GPS-enabled transport with proper boarding registers, ensure adequate security personnel, and conduct annual self-defence workshops. Night shifts are also required to roster at least five women employees, while workplaces must maintain CCTV coverage with a 15-day backup, alongside alarm systems for emergencies. These measures reflect a strong emphasis on not just allowing flexible operations, but ensuring inclusivity, dignity, and safety for women in the workforce.

Chandigarh’s decision marks a progressive step toward creating a truly modern business environment, aligning with global urban centres that thrive on continuous commerce. Yet, the model is clear: economic expansion cannot come at the cost of employee well-being. Employers keen to leverage this newfound flexibility must therefore commit equally to compliance and employee protection, treating this opportunity not just as a commercial gain but as a shared responsibility.