The Government of Karnataka has permitted all shops and commercial establishments in the State of Karnataka that employ 10 or more persons to be open 24×7 on all days. This permission is valid for a period of three years from the date on which this Notification is published in the Official Gazette. In order to operate 24×7, employers are required to adhere to certain conditions that are specified in the said Notification, which include:

i.    additional staff must be appointed to allow every employee to avail one weekly holiday on a rotation basis;

ii.   display employee details (including details of employees who are on leave/holiday) in a conspicuous place in the establishment;

iii.  restrict the number of hours of work of an employee to eight hours in a day and 48 hours in a week;

iv.   restrict the number of hours worked such that the period of work including overtime does not exceed 10 hours in a day;

v.    obtain consent from women employees if they are required to work between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am. Employers are also required to provide women employees working between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am transport and ensure their safety;

vi.   restroom, washroom, safety lockers and other basic amenities should be provided to employees; and

vii.  constitution of an internal committee as prescribed under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

The conditions in the above-mentioned Notification are in addition to those stipulated under the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, the Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923, and prescribes penal action against the employer/manager for violating the provisions set out in the Notification.