All shops, commercial establishments in J&K asked to observe mandatory ‘Close Day’

Jammu, Sep 03: J&K Labour Commissioner has directed all the owners of shops and establishments in every district of Jammu and Kashmir to observe the mandatory “Close Day”, as designated under “Jammu and Kashmir Shops and Establishment Act, 1966.”

This directive is issued in the “interest of workers’ welfare and to ensure adherence to the statutory requirements” under this act.

J&K Labour Commissioner, in a circular, has specified that in terms of Section-13 of the Jammu and Kashmir Shops and Establishment Act, 1966, every shop or Commercial Establishment of Jammu and Kashmir, registered under the Act, will remain entirely closed on one day of the week to observe the mandatory “Close Day.”

“However, it has come to the 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 & Establishment Act, 1966,” the Labour Commissioner said.

Quoting Section-13 of the act, he said that it would 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 remained closed.

“No employer shall make any deduction from the wages of any employee in a shop or commercial establishment on account of Close Day,” he said, quoting Section 13 of the act.

“Therefore, in order to ensure strict compliance of Section-13 of the J&K Shops and Establishment Act, 1966, that is the observance of mandatory “Close Day” by the Shops and Establishments of every district of Jammu and Kashmir, it is hereby impressed upon all the owners of shops or establishments in every district of Jammu and Kashmir to observe the mandatory “Close Day”, as designated under the act, in their respective shops or establishments,” J&K Labour Commissioner ordered.

He asked all the Assistant Labour Commissioners (ALCs) of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the strict implementation of Section 13 of the act in their respective districts.

"In case, any shop or establishment is found violating the said provision or not complying with these instructions, the appropriate legal action under Section-38 of the Act shall be initiated against the violator,” he ordered.

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