Long Work Weeks Without a Break: What Legal Steps Can I Take Against My Employer?

Dear Sir/Madam,

The woman has been working as a cook at the grant-in-aid girls' observation hostel for more than 5 years. However, the employer has not been providing me with a weekly day off. Therefore, could you please suggest under which laws actions may be taken against the employer?

Thank you.

Dear Rahul, it appears that the grant-in-aid girls' hostel has outsourced catering to a caterer. He could be exploiting the staff hired by him. Provisions of the Shops and Establishment Act of your state apply to companies that provide catering services. If the provisions of this act are violated, you may approach the labor office under whose jurisdiction this company operates. Let the woman cook make a complaint to this office. Instead of a direct complaint, a verbal complaint may be made so that the officer can visit the caterer's office and identify any irregularities. It is better not to reveal the identity, as an open complaint may incense the caterer, and he might remove the woman cook.

Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar