Latest news with #ShopsandEstablishmentsAct
News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
Night Shifts For Women, 24x7 Shops, Relaxed Layoff Rules: Delhi Rolls Out Major Business Reforms
Last Updated: The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta The Delhi government has directed the Labour Department to introduce provisions allowing women to work night shifts — but strictly with their consent, officials at Raj Niwas said on Tuesday. The move is part of a wider set of sweeping reforms aimed at improving Delhi's ease of doing business climate and removing bureaucratic hurdles that have stifled economic growth. The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, where the leadership jointly reviewed the progress of key governance initiatives like 'Ease of Doing Business' and 'Maximum Governance, Minimum Government', both aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. Observing that outdated laws and cumbersome processes had long hindered business operations in Delhi, Saxena stressed that the progress made over the past 11 years has been 'far from satisfactory." Echoing this, Chief Minister Gupta noted that the difficulty of doing business in Delhi had led many industries and enterprises to shift operations to other states, costing Delhi significant economic activity. In response, a set of comprehensive directives was issued. Key among them was the order to the Labour Department to amend the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act and issue notifications under the Factories Act, enabling women to work night shifts with their explicit consent while ensuring robust safety measures are in place. Additionally, the government instructed that the threshold for the minimum number of employees for the applicability of the Shops and Establishments Act be increased from one to 10, allowing more small businesses to operate with greater flexibility. Provisions were also approved to permit 24×7 operations for shops and establishments in the capital. Further, the threshold for mandatory permission to close businesses under the Industrial Dispute Act will be raised from 100 to 200 workers, easing the compliance burden on industries. As part of fire safety reforms, the Delhi Fire Department has been directed to empanel third-party agencies for audits. Large commercial and industrial establishments will be allowed to obtain NOCs (No Objection Certificates) based on certificates from these empanelled agencies, while smaller establishments will have the option to opt for a third-party audit. In environmental regulations, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has been instructed to expedite its processes. The time limit for issuing operational consent will be reduced to 20 days, after which the approval will be deemed granted. The DPCC has also been directed to allow self-certification for MSMEs in green and white categories and to empanel third-party agencies for this certification. Land governance also came under scrutiny. Several restrictive provisions of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, especially Sections 81 and 33, were flagged for causing serious hardships to farmers by making land transfers, sales, and mutations practically impossible. The Revenue Department has been tasked with reviewing these sections and recommending necessary amendments. To streamline approvals, the Information Technology Department was directed to develop a single-window portal that will handle all types of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) required for businesses. The Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister emphasized that the implementation of these reforms would be monitored closely, with regular reviews. All departments have been instructed to complete the execution of these directives within six months. First Published: July 02, 2025, 07:36 IST
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Candidate clears interviews, then gets ghosted over one word: ‘Sunday'
A recent graduate from the class of 2025, eager to begin a professional journey, was excited when a close acquaintance recommended him for a job at a startup supported by Y Combinator . Motivated by the opportunity and the backing of such a prestigious incubator, the graduate submitted his application and was soon given a task to complete. His performance impressed the recruiters, and he advanced through the initial interview with ease. An Unexpected Demand Following the first round, a representative from the startup reached out to schedule a second interview. During this call, it was mentioned in passing that the company followed a six-day work schedule, including weekends. The applicant, knowing that Saturday work is fairly common in the startup ecosystem, agreed without much concern. However, what followed next left him bewildered. During the second round of interviews, things were going smoothly until the conversation reached the topic of working hours. The interviewer stated that Sunday work was also expected. Caught off guard, the candidate firmly stated he wouldn't be able to commit to working on Sundays. This came as a shock to the interviewer, who referred to the earlier conversation in which the candidate had supposedly agreed to weekend work. The graduate clarified that he had agreed to work on Saturdays, but Sundays were off-limits for him. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hoa Phu: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More No Closure, No Offer The interviewer responded vaguely, saying they would follow up soon. But days passed with no updates or communication from the company. The opportunity, which initially looked promising, silently disappeared. Reactions From The Online Community This experience, once posted on the Indian Startup subreddit, quickly drew widespread attention. Several members criticized the startup for exploiting employees under the guise of being fast-paced and high-growth. One user pointed out how many new ventures take pride in their Y Combinator affiliation but fall short when it comes to respecting basic employee rights. Others reminded the original poster that India's ' Shops and Establishments Act ' requires at least one mandatory day off per week, generally Sunday, provided the worker is officially hired full-time. Many users also highlighted how tech companies often push for extended work hours unofficially, framing it as part of a so-called startup "grind" or 'hustle culture.' Due to intense job market competition, employees often hesitate to speak out against such practices, fearing professional setbacks or termination. A Cautionary Tale for Job Seekers This incident serves as a warning for fresh graduates and job seekers: enthusiasm must be balanced with clarity about boundaries. Respecting work-life balance is not a luxury—it is a necessity.
