Overview

• The Cabinet amended the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act and the Factories Act to permit women to work at night with written consent under state‑mandated safeguards.
• Safety conditions include GPS‑tracked transport for pick‑up and drop, verified driver records, adequate lighting and CCTV to amenities, at least one female security presence, and a minimum of three women on a shift.
• Daily duty rises to 10 hours under a 48‑hour weekly cap, with no more than six continuous hours without a 30‑minute break and a spread‑over of up to 12 hours including intervals.
• Overtime is raised to 144 hours per quarter, with double wages for work beyond 10 hours a day or 48 hours a week.
• Rules will apply to establishments with 20 or more employees, which may operate 24/7 without special permission, and all shops must display signboards in Odia.