Bhubaneswar, September 29: In order to improve the Ease of Doing Business in the State and to create more economic activities, the State Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday approved amendment proposals in the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956.
The provisions of the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956 shall be applicable to such Shops and Commercial Establishments in the State which engage 20 or more employees.
The Cabinet note mentioned an increase in daily working hours from 9 hours to 10 hours.
As per the amendment, the work shift of an employee in an establishment shall not exceed six continuous hours without an interval for rest of at least half an hour while there will be an increase in overtime work limit from 50 hours to 144 hours during a period of three months.
Where an employee works in any establishment for more than 10 hours on any day or for more than 48 hours in any week, he shall, in respect of such overtime work be entitled to double the ordinary rate of wages, the Cabinet note added.
“Establishments shall have the choice to remain open 24*7 in a day and 365-days in a year; Removal of prohibition on engagement of women employees during night. Women employees can be engaged during night with their written consent and subject to conditions of safety, security and dignity of women as may be notified by the State Government,” it added.
These reforms shall reduce compliance burden on small businesses and provide impetus to entrepreneurs, thus creating more economic activities while ensuring welfare of employees. It shall also enhance employees' earnings by allowing more overtime work and promote higher work participation opportunities for women in organized sector and corporate sector.
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