New Delhi: In a move aimed at providing flexibility to shops and malls on issues including the timings of opening and closing throughout the year, the Union Cabinet today cleared the Model Shop and Establishment Act.
According to the new provisions proposed in the Model Act, establishments including movie theatres, stores, restaurants, banks and other such businesses which employ 10 or more workers will have the flexibility on their timings, including an option to remain open 24x7.
Officials said that the model Act would also enable women to work during the night in such offices with mandatory cab services and other workplace facilities.
The draft of the Model Act will cover all premises or shops with work related to printing, banking, insurance, stocks and shares, brokerage or theatres, cinema and "any other public amusement", which are currently not covered under the Factories Act 1948.
According to the Labour Ministry, the government also has decided to keep warehouses under the Act after even though trade unions have opposed it.
The law is initiated to bring equality in legislative provisions, making it easier for all the states to adopt it and ensure uniform working conditions across the country.
Earlier, the Cabinet has approved the recommendations made by the 7th pay commission that would increase the salaries of over 1 crore government employees and pensioners by at least 23.5 per cent.
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