Vidhi Codex

The Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1960

The Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1960

General196039 of 41 sections available9 chapters

The Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1960, is a state-level legislation designed to regulate the working conditions, employment terms, and health and safety standards in shops and commercial establishments across Kerala. It mandates the registration of businesses, sets strict limits on daily and weekly working hours, and ensures employees receive adequate rest intervals, weekly holidays, and annual leave. Furthermore, the Act protects workers against arbitrary dismissal, prohibits child labor, and restricts night work for women and minors. By establishing clear operational rules and inspection mechanisms, the Act balances the interests of business owners with the fundamental rights and welfare of employees.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 2Insertion of new Chapter IA
  2. 5Amendment of section 29
  3. 5ARegistration of establishments
  4. 5BAppeals
  5. 5CDuties of employer .

Chapter II HOURS OF WORK →

  1. 6Daily and Weekly Hours
  2. 7Extra wages for overtime work
  3. 8Intervals for rest
  4. 9Spread over
  5. 10Opening and closing hours
  6. 11Closing of shops and grant of weekly holidays

Chapter III HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE →

  1. 12Application of Chapter
  2. 13Annual leave with wages
  3. 13ASpecial casual leave for sterilization operation
  4. 14Wages during leave period
  5. 15Power of Inspectors to act for employees
  6. 16Power to exempt establishments

Chapter IV WAGES →

  1. 17Application and amendment of the Payment of Wages Act
  2. 18Notice of Dismissal

Chapter V EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AND WOMEN →

  1. 19Prohibition of employment of children
  2. 20Prohibition of employment of women and persons below seventeen years during night

Chapter VI HEALTH AND SAFETY →

  1. 21Cleanliness, ventilation and lighting
  2. 22Precaution against fire
  3. 23Appeals
  4. 24Apportionment of expenses under preceding sections

Chapter VII ENFORCEMENT AND INSPECTION →

  1. 25Appointment of Inspectors
  2. 26Powers and duties of Inspectors
  3. 27Provided that no one shall be required under this section to answer any question or give any evidence tending to incriminate himself.
  4. 28Employer to produce registers, records etc., for inspection

Chapter VIII OFFENCES, PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE →

  1. 29Penalties

Chapter IX MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 30Maintenance of registers and records and display of notices
  2. 31Saving of certain rights and privileges
  3. 32Indemnity
  4. 33Delegation of powers
  5. 34The Government shall also have power to control and revise the acts or proceedings of any person so empowered.
  6. 35Power of Government to suspend provisions of the Act during fairs and festivals
  7. 36Repeal of certain enactments

Some statutory text is still being prepared for this language version.

PDF: pending for this language.