Jaipur, December 19, 2025 — In a significant move aimed at strengthening worker welfare and modernizing labour standards, the Government of Rajasthan has promulgated the Rajasthan Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. The ordinance introduces sweeping changes to labour regulations, including a ban on night-time work for adolescent employees aged 14–18 in shops and commercial establishments.
The ordinance was approved by Chief Minister and is part of a broader reform agenda to ensure safer and more equitable working conditions for young workers, align state laws with national standards, and boost compliance with welfare norms.
Key Provisions of the New Ordinance
- Ban on Night Work for Adolescents: Under the ordinance, individuals aged 14–18 years are prohibited from working night shifts in shops and commercial establishments. This represents a significant step to protect young workers from potentially unsafe working conditions after dark.
- Child Labour Prohibition: The ordinance also bans the employment of children below 14 years of age in any shop or commercial establishment across Rajasthan, further strengthening child welfare measures.
- Apprenticeship Age Increased: The minimum age for apprentices has been revised upward—from 12 to 14 years—to encourage continued education and development among adolescents.
- Extended Working Hours for Adults: The amendments raise the maximum daily working hours from nine to ten hours and increase the quarterly overtime limit to 144 hours, aiming to enhance productivity while balancing worker wellbeing.
Officials from the Chief Minister’s Office stated that the reforms strike a balance between promoting ease of doing business and safeguarding the rights and health of young workers. By restricting night work for adolescents and raising age thresholds, the government aims to ensure that youth have better access to education, health, and nutrition, while employers benefit from clearer, modernised labour standards.
The ordinance aligns with national initiatives to streamline labour regulations and promote quality workplace conditions across India, following the recent implementation of the central government’s new labour codes.
Child welfare advocates and labour rights groups have welcomed the move, citing potential long-term benefits in improving educational outcomes and reducing exploitative work patterns among adolescents.
Business associations, while supportive of worker protection, have noted that the extended working hours and revised overtime caps could provide flexibility for enterprises, especially in sectors requiring longer operational windows.
