Longer hours for businesses to boost jobs

In what may be an action-packed two days, while the Union Cabinet will meet on June 29 to clear a bill which seeks to provide greater flexibility to retailers as well as malls on various issues, including the timing of opening and closing of shops throughout the year with the aim of generating greater employment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet his Cabinet colleagues on Thursday to take stock of the performances of their respective ministries.

The recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission are not likely to be discussed during the Cabinet meeting, sources privy to the development informed this newspaper, as the matter does not seem to be a part of the meeting’s agenda.

The Cabinet is on Wednesday set to clear the Model Shops & Establishment (Regulation of Employment and Condition of Services) Bill 2016, which has been brought by the labour ministry, to ensure uniformity in legislative provisions, making it easier for all states to adopt it and thereby ensure uniform working conditions across the country in malls, shops and other such commercial establishments.

The main aim of the proposed bill is to ensure greater working hours for small establishments at par with malls, maybe till midnight, which will give a boost to employment generation, sources said. At present, states have their own legislation which regulates shops and establishments, like their closing and opening times, holidays and work shifts for women.

The bill says that women should be allowed to work in night shifts and there should be no discrimination against them in the matter of recruitment, training, transfer or promotions.