Action to be taken against those found violating 'Close Day': Labour Commissioner

Srinagar, Sep 03: Jammu and Kashmir’s Labour Commissioner today issued a circular calling for the strict adherence of mandatory close day for shops and business establishments stating most of the shops and commercial establishments are not following the order in the UT.

A circular issued by the Office of Labour Commissioner J&K, reads that in terms of section 13of J&K Shops and Establishments Act 1966, every Shop or Commercial Establishment of the UT registered under the Act, shall remain entirely closed one day a week to observe the mandatory “Close Day”

“However, it has come to notice of this department that most of the Shops or Commercial establishment owners do not close their shops or establishments on their designated “Close Days, thereby violating the provisions of J&K shops and establishments act, 1966.”

The circular reads that section 13 of the Act also provides that it shall not be lawful for an employer to call an employee at his shop or commercial establishment or any other place for any work in connection with the business of his shop or commercial establishment on a day on which such shop or commercial establishment remains closed and no employer shall make any deduction from the wages of any employee in a shop or commercial establishment on account of “Close Day.”

It further reads that all the Assistant Labour Commissioners of the UT of J&K are hereby instructed to ensure the strict implementation of the Section 13 of the Act in their respective districts and in case any Shop or Establishment is found, violating the said provision or not complying with the above instructions, the appropriate legal action under section 38 of the Act shall be initiated against the violator.

“This directive is issued in the interest of workers welfare and to ensue adherence to the statutory requirements under the Jammu and Kashmir Shops and Establishment Act, 1966."

The Assistant Labour Commissioners are also directed to take necessary steps to monitor the compliance of the Close Day by shops or commercial establishments in their respective districts and submit the action taken report to the office of Labour Commissioner by or before 3rd of every month.”