Banks seek state nod to work late hours, and on holidays too

Now, banks may be allowed to keep establishments open beyond normal working hours and on holidays too. Some banks have approached the state labour department, seeking such exemption.

Citibank and IndusInd Bank have already applied under this scheme.
Earlier, the state had permitted shops in the city to remain open beyond permitted timings and on all days of the week, if the shopkeeper sought an exemption from rules of the Bombay Shops and Establishmemts Act, 1948.

The Bombay Shops and Establishments Act, 1948 allows shops to stay open till 8.30 pm and other establishments till 9.30 pm. Besides, shops and establishments need to have a holiday every week.

“Some banks have approached us for such exemption and we intend to grant it to them. The modalities are yet to be worked out. Banks too have to cater to a rising demand of customers in Mumbai. They may want to remain open all seven days a week,” said a labour department official.

“The state will consider applications on a case-to-case basis. For  shops and establishments too, no blanket permission will be granted. Besides, provisions of other Acts like the Bombay Police Act, for instance, will still be applicable to them,” said another official.

“If the establishment wants to remain open throughout the week, it has to recruit extra staff. We will not allow them to make people work extra hours or without leave,” the official added.