📌 Introduction
The Maharashtra Government has introduced the Maharashtra Shops & Establishments (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, effective 1st October 2025. This update to the Maharashtra Shops & Establishments Act, 2017 is one of the most important labour law updates in India 2025.
The amendment focuses on:
- 📉 Reducing compliance burden for small businesses,
- 📈 Ease of Doing Business in Maharashtra,
- ⏰ Flexibility in daily working hours, and
- 💰 Stronger overtime rules for employees.
For every shop, restaurant, retail outlet, and office in Maharashtra, this is a critical statutory compliance update.
🔑 Key Amendments under Maharashtra Shops Act 2025
|
Provision |
Old Rule (Before 2025 Amendment) |
New Rule (2025 Amendment) |
|---|---|---|
|
Registration Threshold |
Registration required for 10 or more employees |
Registration mandatory only for 20 or more employees. Shops & establishments with less than 20 only need business intimation |
|
Daily Working Hours |
Maximum 9 hours per day |
Increased to 10 hours per day, subject to 48 hours per week |
|
Weekly Hours |
Capped at 48 hours per week |
No change – remains 48 hours per week |
|
Spread-Over of Work |
10.5 hours maximum per day |
Extended to 12 hours per day |
|
Continuous Work without Break |
5 hours continuous work allowed |
Increased to 6 hours continuous work before rest interval |
|
Overtime Limit |
Maximum 125 hours per quarter |
Raised to 144 hours per quarter with double wages |
|
Women Employees (Night Shift) |
Permitted with safety & transport |
No change – safety, security, and transport remain mandatory |
🎯 Why the Amendment Matters
The Maharashtra Shops & Establishments Amendment 2025 is designed to reduce compliance hurdles and improve labour law compliance in Maharashtra.
Key objectives:
- 📉 Reduce compliance for shops with less than 20 employees.
- 📈 Provide operational flexibility with 10-hour daily limit and 12-hour spread-over.
- 💰 Protect workers with formal overtime up to 144 hours per quarter.
- 🚀 Strengthen Ease of Doing Business reforms Maharashtra 2025.
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📋 Employer Compliance Checklist 2025
|
Compliance Area |
What Employers Must Do |
|---|---|
|
Employee Count & Registration |
Registration mandatory if 20 or more employees. If less than 20, provide only business intimation. |
|
Working Hours |
Ensure no employee works beyond 10 hours daily or 48 hours weekly. |
|
Spread-Over |
Daily spread-over not to exceed 12 hours. |
|
Rest Intervals |
Provide a break after 6 hours continuous work. |
|
Overtime Rules |
Overtime ceiling is 144 hours per quarter, with double wages paid. |
|
Registers & Records |
Maintain statutory registers for attendance, wages, overtime, and leave. |
|
Women Night Shift Rules |
Provide safe transport, security, and Labour Dept. intimation. |
|
Wages & Payments |
Ensure compliance with minimum wages Maharashtra 2025 and issue payslips. |
|
Display & Notices |
Display updated labour law notices on working hours and weekly offs. |
⚠️ Key Challenges for Employers
- Implementing 10-hour workdays without breaching weekly limits.
- Monitoring overtime compliance (144 hours/quarter).
- Updating policies for women employees in night shifts.
- Maintaining error-free wage registers and overtime records for inspections.
📈 Impact on Businesses & Employees
- 🏪 Retail Shops & Malls: Flexibility for extended working hours and 24×7 operations.
- 🍴 Restaurants & Hospitality: Better capacity to manage late-night demand.
- 👩💼 Employees: More opportunities for legal overtime earnings.
- 📉 Small Businesses: Reduced paperwork as registration threshold increases from 10 to 20 employees.
📌 Conclusion
The Maharashtra Shops & Establishments Amendment Ordinance, 2025 is a game-changer in labour law reforms. It balances the needs of Ease of Doing Business with the protection of workers’ rights.
✅ Employers must:
- Update shift rosters for 10 hours daily and 12 hours spread-over,
- Track overtime up to 144 hours per quarter,
- Verify staff strength for registration compliance (20+ employees), and
- Maintain complete labour law records.
📢 Final Word: This labour law update Maharashtra 2025 is a progressive step. Employers should act now to update compliance systems and HR policies to stay legally secure.
Ravindra Thorat
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