Kerala Shop Act: Will Fewer Weekly Hours Mean Fewer Leave Days for Employees?

As per the Kerala Shop Act, the maximum hours of work per week shall not exceed 48 hours, and the types and numbers of leave eligible per annum are worked out on the basis of the same. Will the management reduce the number of leaves if the weekly working hours are decreased to 40 hours, and the employees are provided with two weekly offs?

I do not think so. A Shops Act normally permits a deviation from the statutory provisions if the deviation offers better terms of service conditions than the Act. Furthermore, the leave provisions in the Act are independent of statutory working hours.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labour Laws Advisor
Chipinbiz Consultancy Pvt. Ltd
Mumbai
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Please find attached the soft copies of the Kerala Shop Act - Form B1 & BB. 

Thank you.