The Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act 2007 is likely to be placed before the Cabinet on Monday.
Labour Minister Iqbal Ansari speaking to Deccan Herald over the phone from Gangavathi said that even though this particular issue is not on the agenda, he will seek the permission of the chief minister for a discussion on the Act in the Cabinet.
“I will apprise them of the fact that Section 25 was already there in the parent Act of 1961, we have only added the punishment clause. I will request them to delete the controversial Section and replace it with a security clause for women employees, with the onus on the employer,” said Mr Ansari.
Commission
He said he would also suggest to the cabinet to set up a commission headed by a retired judge to study and identify all such labour laws, which are discriminatory, unconsitutional and redundant, and submit a report to the government.
Mr Ansari said that the Governor on Friday has asked him to have a “rethink” on the Act before notifying it.
The controversial Act was gazetted on April 30 this year after it received the Governor’s assent.