Shops and Establishments Act

The Shops and Establishments Act is state-specific legislation enacted by various State Governments to regulate the working conditions of employees in shops, offices, restaurants, and other commercial establishments.

While the Weekly Holiday Act, 1942—a Central Government law—governs the provision of weekly holidays, there is no single central law covering aspects likeworking hours, wages, health, and safety in commercial establishments.

To address this, each State Government has implemented its own Shops and Establishments Act to ensure fair employment practices and proper regulation of commercial activities within its jurisdiction.

Delhi Shops and Establishments Act

The Delhi Shops and Establishments Act applies to all shops, offices, and commercial establishments operating within the State of Delhi.

Under the Act, a “shop” is defined as:

“Any premises where goods are sold either by retail or wholesale, or where services are provided to customers. This includes offices, store-rooms, godowns, warehouses, workhouses, or workplaces used in connection with such trade or business, whether within the same premises or elsewhere. However, it does not include factories or other commercial establishments.”