Shops, commercial establishments with 10 or more people can be open 24x7: Karnataka govt

The move has been done with the intention of generating employment and aiding recovery of businesses hit by the Covid-19 pandemic

Karnataka has allowed all shops and commercial establishments employing 10 or more persons to function round-the-clock, in a move aimed at reviving the economy.

According to a notification issued on Saturday by the Labour Department, the 24/7 operations permit is valid for a period of three years for businesses that come under the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, including malls, hotels and restaurants.

Labour Commissioner Akram Pasha told DH that the notification was a part of the government’s push for ease of doing business. “This will apply to both retailers and wholesalers,” he said.

This rule will not apply to pubs, clubs and bars as they are governed by separate regulations, Pasha pointed out.

This final notification was issued after a draft was put out in November 2019.

According to the notification, employers will have to hire more staff to pool in the extra hours. “The employer shall appoint additional staff to allow every employee to avail one day holiday in a week on rotation,” it states.

The notification also lays down work hours for employees. Businesses cannot make any employee work for more than eight hours a day and 48 hours in any week. “...the period of work, including overtime, shall not exceed 10 hours in any day and 50 hours in a period of three continuing months,” it says.

Establishments have been warned of penal action if employees are found working on any holiday or after normal duty hours “without proper indent of overtime”, the notification states further.

All employees will have to be paid duly for the overtime work, it specified.

For women employees, businesses must have safety measures and obtain written consent from them if they are made to work beyond 8 pm. They will also have to be provided transport to ensure their safety.

In 2019, Karnataka allowed women to work in the night shift for which the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act was amended.