A seminar organised by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Kochi, in association with the Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) has rooted strongly for night-time shopping.
Speakers at the seminar felt that the model Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, currently under discussion at various levels, is a progressvie one that could boost job opportunities as it would allow shops and commercial establishments to operate round-the-clock and throughout the year and would allow women to work on night shifts.
Only shops and commercial establishments with 10 or more employees would come under the ambit of the proposed Act, giving them the freedom to function 365 days a year and decide when they want to open and close business. It would also be applicable to units engaged in manufacture of non-hazardous substances that employ less than 10 persons.
Shop and commercial establishment owners would be able to get themselves registered online and keep their documents in electronic format.
Some of the participants felt that small establishments should not be subjected inspections and web-based inspections would reduce arbitrariness and make compliance with the law.
Chamber president S.N. Raghuchandran Nair made the introductory remarks at the seminar which was addressed by Additional Labour Commissioner A. Alexander and Deputy Labour Commissioner Arun and CPPR chairman D. Dhanuraj and project associate Sara John.