Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act Amended to Extend Work Hours, Permit Night Shifts for Women

The Gujarat Legislative Assembly has approved amendments to the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act, introducing longer permissible work hours and allowing women to work night shifts under specified safety conditions.

Extended Working Hours

Under the amended provisions, the maximum daily working limit has been increased from nine hours to ten hours, inclusive of rest intervals. The law also raises the quarterly ceiling on overtime hours, offering employers greater flexibility in managing workforce schedules.

The government has indicated that the change is intended to support operational demands in fast-expanding sectors such as retail, logistics and services, where extended business hours are increasingly common.

Night Shifts for Women with Safeguards

A significant feature of the amendment permits women to work between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., subject to their consent and strict compliance with safety measures by employers.

Mandatory safeguards include:

• Secure and reliable transportation

• Adequate security arrangements at the workplace

• Separate restrooms and facilities

• Crèche facilities where applicable

• Robust mechanisms to prevent and address workplace harassment

Authorities will retain the power to regulate or restrict night work in specific areas if concerns arise related to safety or law and order.

Balancing Growth and Worker Protection

The state government has positioned the reform as part of a broader effort to modernise labour regulations, align them with evolving business requirements and expand employment opportunities—particularly for women.

Labour law experts note that while the amendment opens new avenues for workforce participation, its effectiveness will depend heavily on enforcement. Monitoring overtime limits, ensuring compliance with safety provisions and safeguarding employee welfare will be critical to achieving the intended outcomes.

Implications for Employers

For human resources leaders and business owners, the amendment creates both opportunity and responsibility. Extended work hours may enhance productivity and operational agility, but companies will need to strengthen internal policies on:

• Workplace safety

• Gender inclusivity

• Overtime management

• Regulatory compliance

With this move, Gujarat joins other Indian states recalibrating labour frameworks to balance economic growth objectives with employee protections in a changing employment landscape.