The Labour Department, Govt. of West Bengal on May 29, 2026, notified regarding the flexible Working Hours for Shops and Establishments.
The following has been stated:
• The Government has issued an exemption under the West Bengal Shops and Establishments Act, 1963, to allow greater flexibility in employee working hours in registered shops and establishments. The exemption relaxes the provisions relating to fixed opening and closing work schedules, while retaining safeguards on working conditions.
• Under the exemption, no employee can be required or permitted to work for more than 8½ hours in a day, 48 hours in a week, or beyond the establishment's closing time. The total spread-over of work, including overtime, cannot exceed 12 hours in a day, and overtime work is capped at 144 hours in a quarter.
[Notification no. - I/775073/2026/Labr-25099/140/2026-LWMW]
