Published Date: 26 June 2025
Issued By: Department of Labour & Employment, UT Administration of DNH & DD
🚨 Labour Law Reform Alert!
The Union Territory Administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNH & DD) has taken a significant step towards progressive labor reforms and ease of doing business. On 26th June 2025, a draft amendment to the Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2019 (as extended to DNH & DD), was released, inviting comments from all stakeholders. This draft aims to balance worker welfare with industrial flexibility while aligning with the broader reforms led by the Government of India.
📜 What Is Being Amended?
Below is a comparison table of key changes proposed:
Section | Existing Provision (2019 Act) | Proposed Amendment (2025) | Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
1(3) | Applicable to establishments with 10+ workers | Applicability raised to 20+ workers | ✅ Compliance relief to small businesses |
12 | Max 9 hours/day, 5 hours continuous work | Max 10 hours/day, 6 hours continuous work | ⏰ Longer work hours with rest |
13(2) | Women allowed to work only between 6 AM – 9 PM, with conditional approval | Women allowed before 6 AM & beyond 9 PM with consent & safety norms | 👩 Empowerment through extended shift options |
14 | Spread-over: 10.5 hrs/day (up to 12 hrs for urgent work) | Unified spread-over: 12 hrs/day | 📅 Simplified work span rule |
15 | OT limit: 125 hrs in 3 months | OT limit raised to 144 hrs in 3 months | 💼 Increased overtime capacity |
⚖️ Why This Matters
This reform has been introduced in light of:
- Rapid industrialisation and growth of DNH & DD as a manufacturing and service hub.
- The need to simplify compliance for small businesses.
- Ensuring gender equality in employment by legally enabling flexible shift timings for women with safeguards.
🧾 Official Details
- 📅 Date of Circular: 26 June 2025
- 🏛️ Department: Labour & Employment, UT Administration
-
📬 Where to send feedback:
Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Labour)
Secretariat, Vidyut Bhawan, Kachigam, Nani Daman - ⏳ Deadline: Within 30 days i.e., on or before 26th July 2025
📝 Who Should Respond?
🔹 Factory owners
🔹 Retail & service sector businesses
🔹 Compliance professionals
🔹 Labour unions & worker groups
🔹 Women working in late/night shifts
🔹 HR managers & legal experts
📢 PCS Recommendations
- All employers must review their internal policies on working hours, shift timings (especially for women), and overtime.
- Small businesses with <20 workers may now benefit from reduced compliance requirements.
- Companies must ensure consent, security, and facilities are in place before engaging women in late-night shifts.
- Keep records ready for possible compliance updates once the final amendment is notified.
📣 Final Words
This draft amendment reflects the UT’s intent to foster a pro-worker yet industry-friendly environment. Stakeholders must take this opportunity to review, suggest, and prepare for the eventual enforcement of the revised act.
📩 For professional assistance with labour compliance, registration, and policy drafting under the proposed changes, contact:
📞 Prakash Consultancy Services (PCS)
📧 info@pcsmgmt.com | 🌐 www.pcsmgmt.com
Draft Notification:–
