Digital Goa, October 2 – The Goa government has notified the Goa Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2025 (Goa Act 23 of 2025), replacing the 1973 law and bringing a major revamp of labour regulations across shops, hotels, restaurants, theatres, and other commercial establishments. The law received the Governor’s assent on September 19. The Act introduces differential compliance: establishments with 20 or more workers must follow full regulations, while smaller ones only need to submit an online intimation of operations. It bans child labour, limits working hours for those under 18 to seven hours daily, and caps adult work at 10 hours a day or 48 hours a week. Workers must get a weekly holiday, rest breaks after five hours, and double wages for overtime, restricted to 144 hours per quarter. Employees are entitled to nine sick leave days, six casual leave days, 15 earned leave days (up to 45 days accumulation), and nine paid holidays annually. Establishments with 50 or more staff must provide a crèche, and those with 100 or more a canteen. A key provision allows women to work beyond the standard 7 am–7:30 pm. hours with their consent, provided employers ensure safety, protection from harassment, and transport.
Notification https://goaprintingpress.gov.in/downloads/2526/2526-26-SI-EOG-3.pdf
