The State Government of Tamil Nadu has permitted all shops and establishments to be open for a whole year i.e. 365 days starting from February 25, 2016, by granting an exemption under the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishment Act, 1947 (the “Act”). This exemption shall be effective until February 24, 2017. However, this exemption has been granted subject to certain conditions, which are as follows:
(a) every employee has to be given one day of holiday in a week;
(b) wages including overtime wages have to be credited to the savings bank account of the employee;
(c) an employee should be allowed to work only eight hours a day and forty eight hours a week. Also, the overtime hours should not exceed ten hours a day;
(d) female employees should not work beyond 8:00 P.M;
(e) transport facilities should be provided to female employees who work in shifts;
(f) employees must be provided with basic amenities like restrooms, wash room, safety lockers, etc.;
(g) sexual harassment committee to be formed by all shops and establishments; and
(h) employer/manager shall be penalised under the Act, if there is a violation of any of the above mentioned conditions.