Chandigarh Labour Department notifies exemption to Shops and Establishment

Posted On - 19 July, 2024 • By - King Stubb & Kasiva

The Chandigarh administration labour department has released notification no. 12/2/149-HII(2)/2024/97898dated 25th June 2027 exempting shops and establishments from operation of provisions containing opening and closing hours[Sec. 9 of the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958 (“Act”)], close day (Sec. 10(1) of the Act) and condition of employment of women (Sec. 30 of the Act) subject to following conditions among others:

  1. The Shops and Commercial Establishments registered under this Act in the Union Territory of Chandigarh are permitted to keep open on all 365 days and operate 24 hours.
  2. The exemptions are granted for a period of 1 year.
  3. No employee shall be required to work for more than 9 hours in day or 48 hours in a week.
  4. If any shop or establishment remains open after 10.00 pm on any day, adequate safety and security arrangements shall be ensured for all employees and visitors by the management.
  5. The employees shall be provided with all the facilities mentioned in the relevant Labour Laws.
  6. The CCTV Camera with minimum 15 days recording backup shall be installed on the Shop/Commercial Establishment premises for safety purpose.
  7. That the female employees shall be provided separate locker, security and restrooms at the workplace.

Certain Conditions among others to be ensured by employer for female employees working at night:

  1. To obtain consent of women in writing.
  2. To ensure compliance under the POSH Act.
  3. The management will provide adequate security and proper transport facilities to the women workers including women employees of contractors during the evening/night shifts.
  4. The management will ensure that women employees will board the vehicle in the presence of security guard on duty.
  5. The management will ensure that emergency call numbers are prominently displayed inside the vehicle.
  6. The management will ensure that there is an annual self-defence workshop/training for women employees, etc.