Karnataka Amends Shops Act, Removes Night-Shift Protections for Women Workers
The Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2026, which received the Governor's assent this month, has removed several protective provisions from the original law. The amendment omits clauses 25(1)(h) to 25(1)(o), which contained safeguards for women employees.
The removed clauses previously governed conditions and restrictions on night-shift work for women. Labour advocates have flagged concerns that eliminating these provisions may compromise worker safety and welfare standards.
