Bill to provide seats to staff in shops introduced

The state on Monday tabled a Bill to provide seating arrangements for employees working in shops and commercial establishments.

“The premises of every establishment shall have suitable seating arrangements for all employees so that they may take advantage of any opportunity to sit which may occur in the course of their work and thereby avoid standing throughout the working hours,” the Bill said.

The Bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act, 1947, was introduced by Minister for Labour Welfare and Skill Development CV Ganesan. There were complaints that persons employed in shops and establishments in the state were made to stand throughout their duty time resulting in a number of health issues. Considering the plight of the employees, it is felt necessary to provide seating facilities to all the employees in the shops and establishments.

The subject of providing safety facilities to the employees was placed in the State Labour Advisory Board meeting held on September 4, 2019 and the same was unanimously approved by the members of the board. To give effect to the decision, the Amendment Bill was introduced in the Assembly, said the Minister.

He also introduced another Bill to amend Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2018, to do away with the provision for renewal of registration of shops and establishments and to issue registration certificates within a day from the date of application.