The Government of Tamil Nadu on August 24, 2026, has exempted all establishments from Section 11(1) of the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act, 1947, permitting them to remain open on all 365 days of the year for a further period of three years from August 24, 2026, unless revoked.
The exemption is subject to conditions including one weekly holiday for every employee on a rotational basis, maintenance and display of employee holiday/leave details, payment of wages and overtime through bank accounts, and compliance with prescribed working-hour limits. Employees cannot be required to work for more than 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week, while total working hours including overtime cannot exceed 10.5 hours a day and 57 hours a week.
For women employees, work beyond 8:00 PM is generally prohibited; work between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM is permitted only with written consent and adequate safety measures. Employers must provide transport for women working in shifts, basic amenities, and an operative Internal Complaints Committee under the POSH Act, 2013. Violations of the conditions or statutory provisions may result in penal action against the employer/manager.
[Notification No. II(2)/LWSD/652(a)/2026]
