Karnataka govt gives nod to shops, businesses to function 24x7

The state government also mandated that no employee will be made to work more than ten hours a day. The order will remain effective till three years from today.

The Karnataka government on Saturday allowed all shops and other businesses to remain open round the clock — 24 hours and seven days a week. The permission is subjected to the establishments which employes ten or more people.

A security guard is seen outside a closed mall in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic, in Bengaluru. (PTI)

The state government also mandated that no employee will be made to work more than eight hours and in case of overtime the working hours should exceed ten hours a day and 48 hours in a week. If employees are found working on any holiday or after normal duty hours without proper indent of overtime, penal action shall be initiated against the employer/Manager as laid down in the Karnataka Shops and Establishments Act, and Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Rules, the order also stated.

The wages including overtime wages of the employees shall be credited to their savings bank account as prescribed under the payments of wages Act, the notification further said.

The order also stated that women employees shall not be allowed to work beyond 8pm in normal circumstances. However, if the circumstances require the emoloyer is required to obtain written consent from the women employee to work between 8pm and 6am. The permission will be subjected to the condition that the employer will take measures to safeguard her safety, dignity and honour.

Transport arrangements shall be provided to the woman employee who works in shifts, it said. It also ordered the employer to provide their employees basic amenities like restroom, washroom safety lockers.

The move comes as the government pushes to accelerate the economic growth which is reeling under the impact of the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19). As of Friday evening, the state, which was among the worst-hit by the pandemic, has a total of 9,20,373 confirmed infections, with a total toll of 12,096.

(With agency inputs)