Government’s new rule to enable 24×7 shopping in Kerala

The Government of Kerala is planning to revamp acts to make Kerala shopping friendly in order to attract more tourist and natives. With this rule, night shopping will soon become a reality in Kerala. If an owner wishes, he or she can open his shop 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The prevailing rules won’t allow a shop to remain open beyond 10 pm, and the shop must shut once in a week. If shops are open at some places, they do it after obtaining permission from the labor department.

The new rule to be named after Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act (KSCE Act). In the KSCE Act, work hours have been increased from eight to nine hours. The new rules are based on the Model Shops and Establishment Act, 2016, introduced by the central government. All states have to set the guidelines before November 30.

Female employees can’t be asked to work beyond 7 pm. However, the new rules will allow them to work during the night if they are provided transport facilities. In smaller companies, the government too becomes a partner in providing transport facility. Company owners can come together, seek the support of merchant associations or local self-government entities or worker welfare funds to provide transport.

New rules

1. Commercial establishments having less than 10 staff members don’t need to register under the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act.
2. Shops can open 24X7 throughout the year.
3. Working hours will increase to nine hours with a one-hour break. Double salary will have to be provided for every extra hour of work. Maximum working hours in a week will be 125 hours. A holiday once a week.
4. Female employees can work until 9 pm. They can continue even after 9 pm if they wish to.
5. Have to ensure women’s safety and provide night transport.
6. Labor inspector will become labor facilitator.
7. Shop registration for 10 years.
8. Penalties for violations have been increased. Rs 2,000 per every worker to a maximum of Rs 2 lakh. Repeat violations to attract fines up to Rs 5 lakh.
9. One washroom for every 20 workers.
10. Creche facility if shop employs women workers