The Cabinet cleared the model Shops and Establishment Act that would allow cinema halls, restaurants, shops, banks and other such workplaces to be open 24X7.

Officials said the model Act would also enable women to work during the night in such offices with mandatory cab services and other workplace facilities.

With the exception of factories, the draft law proposes to cover all premises or shops with work related to printing, banking, insurance, stocks and shares, brokerage or theatres, cinema and “any other public amusement” and which are currently not covered under the Factories Act 1948.

All such units which employ 10 or more workers are proposed to be subject to the Act.

According to the Labour Ministry, the government has decided to keep warehouses under the purview of the Act after several meetings with stakeholders even though trade unions have opposed it.

However the implementation of the Act will depend on states as labour is in the concurrent list and states have their own laws governing the functioning of shops and establishments.