Vidhi Codex

Delhi Shops and Establishments Act

The Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954

Labour195448 sections

This law regulates the working conditions of shops, commercial establishments, hotels, restaurants, theaters and other businesses in Delhi. It applies initially to specific municipal areas and business types but can be extended to other locations through government notification. The Act mandates working hours, provides designated closing times, establishes annual closure days, and defines employee rights regarding holidays and leave. It also includes provisions for minimum service requirements, notice periods for termination, and protections against unfair dismissal. The legislation matters because it establishes essential labor standards in the retail and service sectors, ensuring fair treatment of workers while allowing flexibility for business operations in the capital region.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 1. Short title, extent, commencement and application.
  2. 2. Definitions.
  3. 3. Rights and privileges under other law, etc., not affected
  4. 4. Exemptions
  5. 6. Change to be communicated to the Chief Inspector
  6. 7. Closing of an establishment to be communicated to the Chief Inspector
  7. 8. Employment of adults, hours of work
  8. 9. Restriction on double employment.
  9. 10. Interval for rest and meals.
  10. 11. Spread over.
  11. 12. Prohibition of employment of children.
  12. 13. Employment of young persons—Hours of work.
  13. 14. Young persons and women to work during day time.
  14. 15. Opening and closing hours of shops and commercial establishments.
  15. 16. Close day.
  16. 17. Period of rest (weekly holiday).
  17. 18. Wages for the holiday.
  18. 19. Time and conditions for payment of wages.
  19. 20. Deductions which may be made from wages.
  20. 21. Claims relating to wages.
  21. 22. Leave.
  22. 23. Wages during Leave.
  23. 24. Contracting Out.
  24. 25. Cleanliness.
  25. 26. Lighting and ventilation.
  26. 27. Power to enforce cleanliness, etc.
  27. 28. Precautions against fire.
  28. 29. Accidents.
  29. 30. Notice of dismissal and compensation
  30. 31. Provisions in respect of shops and commercial establishments where more than one business is carried on
  31. 32. Provisions as to trading elsewhere than in shops.
  32. 33. Records.
  33. 34. Employer to furnish letters of appointment to employees.
  34. 35. Inspection of Registers and calling for information.
  35. 36. Appointment of Inspectors.
  36. 37. Powers and duties of the Inspector.
  37. 38. Inspectors to be public servants
  38. 39. Protection to persons acting under this Act
  39. 40. Penalties
  40. 41. Wilfully making false entries.
  41. 42. Penalty for obstructing Inspector.
  42. 43. Determination of employer for the purpose of this Act.
  43. 44. Exemption of occupier from liability in certain cases.
  44. 45. Cognizance of offence.
  45. 46. Savings.
  46. 47. Power to make rules.
  47. 48. Repeal of Punjab Trade Employees Act, 1940, as extended to the Union Territory of Delhi.
  48. 49. Application of General Clauses Act, 1897.

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