Govt: No state objects to model shops law

26-week maternity leave soon in private sector

New Delhi, July 1: Labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya on Friday said no state government has objected to the model shops and establishments Bill during the course of consultation process, but refrained from hazarding any guess as to how many states are likely to adopt the law that also allows women to work in the night shift.

“This is a model Bill which states consider by adopting the central law or making necessary modifications by amending the state laws. However, no states objected to the Bill during the consultation process,” the minister said, adding that all progressive states should adopt the Bill since it is set to promote development and generate employment.

Allowing shops and establishments, not falling under the Factories Act, having 10 or more employees, to remain open round-the-clock throughout the year, the Union Cabinet on June 29 cleared the Bill that also aimed at bringing uniformity in legal provisions to achieve better labour law compliances.

The Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) Act is a state legislation enacted by various states which regulates operation of shops and establishments in that state. The minister said that the Centre had been receiving suggestions from time to time to enact a model law.

Dattatreya said it would also help create numerous new jobs especially in the retail, IT, hospitality and services sectors. New Delhi, July 1: All establishments, including in private sector, will have to provide 26-week maternity leave to their women employees under a new bill, which the government plans to push in the upcoming monsoon Session, labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya said.

While there is already a provision of 26-week or six- month mater nity leave for the government employees, most private sector firms offer maximum three months of such leave.

The minister said the new Maternity Benefit Bill, which seeks to enhance maternity leave to 26 weeks from existing 12 weeks, will be shortly taken up by the Cabinet for approval and the Ministry will push it for passage in the monsoon session of Parliament.