New Delhi: The clearance of the Model Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) Act 2015 by the Union Cabinet could make eating out and shopping 24/7 a reality soon.
Aimed at generating employment prospects, the government today approved the Model Shop & Establishment Act, which will permit eating joints, movie theatres, malls, and local markets to remain open round the clock.
Here are the 5 things you need to know about the Model Shops and Establishments act clearance:
- Under the provisions cleared by the Cabinet, establishments like shopping malls and restaurants, which employ 10 or more workers, will get the leverage to operate 365 days with flexibility on timing to open and close.
- The draft of the Model Act will cover all premises or shops with work related to printing, insurance, stocks and shares, brokerage or theatres, cinema and "any other public amusement", which are currently not covered under the Factories Act 1948. There is still no clarity about Government offices such as banks including the Reserve Bank of India, insurance companies and factories.
- The Act will increase the ease of doing business for retailers as competition has already increased between online and offline players. The implementation of this Act will also generate high employment opportunities. Also it will bring equality in legislative provisions, making it easier for all the states to adopt it and ensure uniform working conditions across the country.
- Women will now be permitted work 24/7. The draft has also mandated to facilitate women with safe transportation services and other related facilities such as creches during night schedules.
- The Act will provide exemption to highly-skilled workers like those in IT and bio-technology from daily working hours (9 hours) and weekly working hours (48 hours).
