Tamil Nadu extends 365-day opening for shops, establishments by 3 years
Tamil Nadu has renewed for three years its exemption allowing shops and establishments to operate all days, with protective conditions for employees.
The Tamil Nadu government has renewed for another three years the permission that allows shops and other establishments across the state to remain open on all 365 days of the year.
The Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department issued a Government Order on August 24, extending the exemption from the date of publication of the notification. The earlier order, issued in 2023, had provided a similar relaxation.
The extension comes with a set of conditions designed to protect workers. Every employee must receive at least one day off each week, granted on a rotational basis, and the roster must be displayed at the workplace. Establishments are also required to put up daily details of employees who are on leave or availing their weekly holiday.
Working hours remain capped at eight hours per day and 48 hours per week. With overtime, the total cannot exceed 10.5 hours in a day or 57 hours in a week. All wages, including overtime pay, must be transferred directly to employees' bank accounts.
Specific safeguards apply to women employees. They cannot ordinarily be asked to work beyond 8 p.m., but may work between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. if they give written consent and adequate measures are in place for their safety and dignity. Employers must arrange transport for women working in shifts and display a notice at the main entrance confirming this facility.
Establishments must also provide basic amenities such as restrooms, washrooms and safety lockers. Those employing women are required to maintain a functioning Internal Complaints Committee to address workplace sexual harassment complaints.
The government has warned that any violation of these conditions or other statutory provisions will attract penal action under the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act, 1947, and its rules.