Bill extending daily working hours passed

Gandhinagar: With the aim of creating job opportunities and improving work conditions for women, the Gujarat govt on Tuesday passed a bill extending daily working hours and allowing women to work night shifts in shops and commercial establishments. The Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, replaced an ordinance promulgated last year when the assembly was not in session.
The bill, introduced by state labour, skill development and employment minister Kunvarji Bavaliya, was passed unanimously after members of both the ruling and opposition parties presented their views. The Congress extended its support to the bill following assurances from the minister regarding proper safeguards and implementation. The bill proposes that any woman, with her consent, can work on the night shift between 9pm and 6am at any shop or establishment, provided that the employer ensures adequate protection of dignity and safety, protection from sexual harassment, and provides facilities such as rest rooms, night crèches and separate toilets. Bavaliya informed the House that, apart from these facilities, transport from the workplace to the residence must also be provided to women working night shifts."A provision empowers the state govt to prohibit or regulate the employment of women workers between 9pm and 6am in specified shops or establishments in certain areas, through a notification in the official gazette, if deemed necessary," he said.In another amendment, employees will now be allowed to work 10 hours a day, which includes breaks, replacing the current nine-hour limit. The amendment also allows workers to undertake overtime, with the total number of overtime hours in any quarter (three months) not exceeding 144 hours, replacing the earlier 125-hour limit.Opposition Congress, led by senior MLA Shailesh Parmar, supported the Bill after the minister's assurance, stating that while they favour measures promoting employment and industrial growth, effective monitoring and safeguards are essential to prevent exploitation.