The Shops and Establishments Act, 1953 provides statutory obligations and rights to employees and employers in the unorganized sector of employment like shops and establishments. It is applicable to all persons employed in an establishment except family members and each state has its own rules for implementing the Act. The Act mandates registration of shops/establishments within 30 days of starting and communication of closures within 15 days. It also specifies guidelines for working hours, leave, employment of women and children, and obligations of employers and employees.

1. The Shops and Establishments Act, 1953
Objectives
• To provide statutory obligation and rights to employees and employers in the
unorganized sector of employment, i.e., shops and establishments.
Scope and Coverage
• A state legislation; each state has framed its own rules for the Act.
• Applicable to all persons employed in an establishment with or without wages,
except the members of the employer's family.
• State government can exempt, either permanently or for a specified period, any
establishments from all or any provisions of this Act.
Main Provisions
• Compulsory registration of shop/establishment within thirty days of
commencement of work.
• Communications of closure of the establishment within 15 days from the closing
of the establishment.
• Lays down the hours of work per day and week.
• Lays down guidelines for spread-over, rest interval, opening and closing hours,
closed days, national and religious holidays, overtime work.
• Rules for employment of children, young persons and women
• Rules for annual leave, maternity leave, sickness and casual leave, etc.
• Rules for employment and termination of service.
• Maintenance of registers and records and display of notices.
• Obligations of employers.
• Obligations of employees.
When to Consult And Refer
• At the time of start of an enterprise.
• When framing personnel policies and rules.

2.  The Shops and Establishments Act,1953 was enacted to provide
statutory obligation and rights to employees and employers in the
unorganised sector of employment, i.e. shops and establishments. It is
applicable to all persons employed in an establishment with or without
wages, except the members of the employer's family. It is a State
legislation and each State has framed its own rules for the Act. The
State Government can exempt, either permanently or for a specified
period, any establishments from all or any provisions of this Act. The
Act provides for compulsory registration of shop/ establishment
within thirty days of commencement of work and all communications
of closure of an establishment within 15 days from its closing. It also
lays down the hours of work per day and week as well as the
guidelines for spread-over, rest interval, opening and closing hours,
closed days, national and religious holidays, overtime work, etc.