Soon, warehouses in Delhi to operate 24/7

Warehouses in the country's capital will shortly be able to work around the clock, thanks to the Delhi government issuing a draught notice in this regard and inviting suggestions and objections from stakeholders within 15 days of the notice's publication.

The announcement comes after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena the other week accepted application forms for more than 300 establishments to continue operating around the clock, including online shopping and delivery shops, hotels, restaurants, transportation facilities, and warehouses.

He had also taken a "very serious view" of the labour department's "inordinate delay, adhocism, randomness, and unjustified discretion" in deciding on the firms' applications for these exemptions.

The Delhi Labour Department posted a draught notification on Wednesday exempting warehouses from sections 15 and 16 of the Delhi Shops and Establishment Act 1954, paving the way for such places to operate around the clock.

Sections 15 and 16 of the Delhi Shops and Establishment Act 1954 address the duration of the closing and opening of shops and other commercial establishments in the city. According to officials, the move will benefit traders and boost the nationwide capital's economy.

According to the draught notification issued by the labour department, no employee shall be employed or permitted to work for more than nine hours on any given day and for no more than 48 hours in any given week.

If shift work is required, it must be structured so that no employee is forced to work only the night shift. The draught notification stated that the employer must make appropriate arrangements for the safety, security, and transportation of all employees who have been asked to work overtime or in a shift outside of normal working hours.

Brijesh Goyal, Chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), welcomed the move and stated that many such applications in which traders requested 24*7 operation of their establishment had been currently on hold since 2016.

"Opening of shops, restaurants and cinemas in Delhi will increase 20 per cent business at night. There will be tremendous benefit in the hospitality and retail sector too," Goyal said.