BHUBANESWAR : The Assembly on Wednesday gave its assent to the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Bill, 2025, amending the original Act of 1956, for extending the maximum daily work hours in all categories of commercial establishments from existing nine to 10, and allowing women to work night shifts.
The Bill introduced on Tuesday by Labour and Employment minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia aims to maximise productivity, create more employment opportunities especially for women workforce, enhance economic activities and promote ease of doing business in the state.
Initiating discussion on the Bill, the minister said the maximum daily work time will now be 10 hours subject to an upper-limit of 48 hours per week. The amended provisions will be applicable to shops and commercial establishments which have employed 20 or more people.
He said the working hours per day, length of uninterrupted period of work before mandatory interval for rest and maximum permissible overtime are proposed to be increased in line with the best practices in the present times and suggestions made by NITI Aayog and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
He said the period of work of an employee will not exceed six hours without at least half-an-hour break. “Every establishment may remain open 24x7 subject to the condition that the employees shall be given overtime wages and one weekly off day. There will be no wage deduction for weekly off and this will also be applicable for people employed on daily wage basis,” he said.
The Bill proposed to raise the overtime limit from 50 hours to 144 hours during a quarter in any financial year. This will allow commercial establishments address work pressure and enable employers to manage manpower more efficiently over longer periods. The longer overtime limit will help willing workers earn more wages which is double the rate of ordinary wage, the minister said.
The Bill further sought to remove restrictions on engagement of women in night shift subject to conditions of their safety, dignity and welfare measures or any other conditions prescribed by the state government. This is to promote gender inclusiveness and create more employment opportunity for women in organised sector, he said.
The minister said the amendments provision will into force from November 8, the day the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishment (Amendment) Ordinance was promulgated. With the passing of the Bill, the ordinance stands repealed.