‘Close Day’-A much needed step

With most of the shops in markets across Jammu and Kashmir preferring to keep their establishments open throughout the week, the step has been viewed seriously as the government has issued a circular, asking the owners to keep their establishments closed once a week. A circular was issued by the Office of Labour Commissioner J&K, stating that in terms of section 13 of J&K Shops and Establishments Act 1966, every Shop or Commercial Establishment of the UT registered under the Act, shall remain entirely closed one day a week to observe the mandatory “Close Day”. Under section 13 of the Act it shall not be lawful for an employer to call an employee at his shop or commercial establishment or any other place for any work in connection with the business of his shop or commercial establishment on a day on which such shop or commercial establishment remains closed and no employer shall make any deduction from the wages of any employee in a shop or commercial establishment on account of “Close Day.” Therefore, in order to provide relief to the people, especially the salesmen, the government must ensure the decision is implemented in letter and spirit so that they could heave a sigh of relief. It is the time when the government should hold deliberations with the stakeholders and select a day on which the shops should remain closed to ensure there is no pressure on the working class. The time has come when action should be taken against those found violating the decision.