Model Shops and Establishment Bill, 2016 to boost employment opportunities for women

New Delhi, July 2 (KNN) Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Bandaru Dattatreya said that the Model Shops and Establishment Bill 2016 will give a boost to employment opportunities to women as it permits to work during the night shifts with adequate safety and security provisions.

He said that it will cover only shops and establishments employing ten or more workers except manufacturing units. However, the States can change this as per their needs.

He was interacting with the media on the issue.

Elaborating further, the Minister said ,the main provisions of the Model Bill inter-alia, include freedom to operate 365 days in a year and opening/closing time of establishment, women to be permitted during night shift, if the provision of shelter, rest room, ladies toilet, adequate protection of their dignity and transportation etc. exits, no discrimination against women in the matter of recruitment, training, transfer or promotions, online Registration through a simplified procedure, powers of Government to make rules regarding adequate measures to be taken by the employer for the safety and health of workers, clean and safe drinking water, first-aid, lavatory, crèche and canteen by group of establishments, in case, it is not possible due to constraint in space or otherwise by individual establishment and five paid festival holidays in addition to national holidays etc.

Workers’ Rights and Welfare measures- The Model law provides for provision of common Latrines and urinals, Crèche, Canteen facility by a group of employers, which is a very progressive step. It provides paid holidays for the workers which will be 18 days Earned Leaves, 8 days Causal Leaves, weekly holiday and 5 festival leaves in addition to National holidays, added minister.

He also stated that the business- the Model law would help the small shops from the restriction of opening and closing working hrs and weekly close day.

“Due to enhanced working hours, more job opportunities would be created. Moreover such jobs in Shops and Establishment are suited for women”, said Dattatreya adding that the provision of operating 24X7 is expected to boost up the retail market across the country and will give customer flexibility and convenience to shop any time.

The Cabinet in its meeting held on 29th June, 2016 considered the Model Shops and Establishment (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2016 to be sent to States who will modify their individual Acts, if they so desire either by adopting the said Bill as it is or after modifying its provisions as per the requirement of that particular State/UTs. The proposed draft model Bill was finalized after detailed deliberations & discussions with public, through internet and with employees/labour representatives, employers’ association/federations and State Governments through Tripartite Consultations process. (KNN Bureau)