Govt clears labour reforms
The Delhi Government has cleared a fresh set of labour reforms that allow women to work night shifts, permit most shops to operate round the clock and simplify compliance for small traders.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the reforms place workers’ welfare at the centre of governance while balancing economic growth and business needs. She said the government’s focus is on dignified working conditions, social security and wider employment opportunities, especially for women.
Women will now be allowed to work night shifts in shops and establishments, a move expected to expand job options and increase female participation in the workforce.
The permission, however, comes with strict safeguards. Employers will be required to ensure workplace safety, secure transport, proper lighting, security personnel and other essential facilities.
The Government has also allowed shops and establishments to operate 24x7, except liquor shops. The decision is expected to boost economic activity, create new jobs and offer flexible work hours to employees. Officials said round-the-clock operations will benefit sectors such as retail, services and hospitality, while also opening more opportunities for women and young workers.
The Chief Minister said labour laws in Delhi have been streamlined in line with Labour Code provisions, with an emphasis on social security and worker protection. She said the reforms aim to reduce red tape and make compliance simpler without diluting worker rights. Registration and renewal processes for small traders have been simplified to cut paperwork and ease long-standing procedural burdens.
Under the revised framework, women can work night shifts between 9 pm and 7 am during summer and between 8 pm and 8 am during winter. The Chief Minister described workers as the backbone of the economy and said protecting their interests is both a government duty and a moral responsibility.
She said the Delhi Government is committed to aligning ease of doing business with ease of living so that workers benefit directly from economic growth. The Government believes worker-friendly reforms will accelerate commercial activity and promote inclusive development in the Capital.
Officials said the reforms are expected to be rolled out in phases, with monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure compliance, especially with safety norms for women working night shifts.
