Guj: shops, businesses can remain open 24X7 now

Shops and other businesses in Gujarat can remain open round the clock now with the Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2019 coming into force from May 1, the government said.

The act, passed by the state Assembly in February, was notified on May 1, a government release said Saturday.

With this, commercial establishments in municipal corporations limits, or those near national highways, railway stations, state transport depots, hospitals and petrol pumps will be allowed to operate 24 hours.

The shops and commercial entities operating near state highways and within municipality limits can now operate between 6 am to 2 am.

The act replaced the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act of 1948, which prohibited shops and other businesses from operating between 12 am to 6 am.

Under the new act, shops and commercial entities employing more than 10 workers will require one-time registration with no need for renewal, while those with less than 10 employees will need no registration.

Employees will get twice the regular salary for working overtime, against the one-and-a-half-time as provided under the earlier act.

Under the new act, working hours for women employees can be between 6 am and 9 pm, which could be relaxed only if a written request is made and after the authorities consider safety issues.