Gujarat Amends Shops and Establishments Law to Expand Working Hours and Permit Night Shifts for Women

The Government of Gujarat has enacted amendments to the Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) framework, expanding permissible daily working hours and revising overtime limits for commercial establishments. The amendment also authorises the employment of women during prescribed night hours, subject to explicit consent and mandatory safety safeguards.

The reform aims to enhance operational flexibility for sectors such as retail, hospitality, and information technology, where extended working hours are commercially significant. Employers may structure longer shifts within statutory ceilings, provided that aggregate weekly limits, overtime compensation, and rest interval requirements are strictly observed.

Crucially, permission for night shift employment of women is conditional upon implementation of robust safety measures, including secure transportation facilities, workplace surveillance mechanisms where appropriate, and adherence to anti-sexual harassment compliance frameworks.

Employers are also required to maintain accurate overtime registers and ensure welfare amenities consistent with statutory mandates.

The amendment reflects an evolving policy approach that seeks to reconcile economic flexibility with workplace inclusion and gender parity.

Legal Analysis:

While the reform introduces operational latitude, it simultaneously heightens compliance exposure in areas of wage calculation, safety oversight, and anti-harassment obligations. Failure to implement demonstrable safeguards may attract statutory penalties and civil liability. Organisations operating in Gujarat should immediately review shift policies, consent documentation protocols, and compliance audits to ensure defensible adherence.