Maharashtra Shops and Establishment Act Amendment 2025
The Maharashtra Shops and Establishment Act has undergone a major reform in 2025, redefining how businesses across the state operate. The new ordinance not only simplifies compliance for employers but also enhances employee welfare. With extended working hours, updated overtime limits, and provisions for 24×7 operations, this amendment represents a bold step towards “Ease of Doing Business” while maintaining fair working conditions.
At Best Company Registration Consultant in Pune – Startup Portal Business Services, we help businesses in Pune, Mumbai, and other parts of Maharashtra stay compliant with every new labour reform. Our experts guide you through registration, policy updates, and payroll compliance under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishment Act, ensuring you never miss a legal requirement.
Overview Maharashtra Shops & Establishments Amendment 2025:
The Maharashtra Shops and Establishment Act, 1948 governs employment conditions, working hours, wages, and welfare in all commercial establishments across the state. The 2025 Amendment Ordinance brings significant updates to reflect the changing work culture — especially in sectors like IT, retail, e-commerce, and hospitality.
Key objectives of the 2025 update:
- To streamline registration for small establishments
- To provide flexibility in working hours
- To promote women’s participation in night shifts
- To encourage 24×7 operations under safe and regulated conditions
These amendments are designed to simplify operations for employers while ensuring that employee safety and welfare remain a top priority. Businesses can now operate more efficiently — and with fewer compliance burdens — provided they align their policies with the new provisions. At Startup Portal Business Services, our legal and HR experts have been assisting multiple clients in updating their documentation and policies as per the revised Shop and Establishment Act, Maharashtra guidelines. We also specialize in providing complete assistance for Shop Act Registration in Pune, ensuring that every business — from startups to large enterprises — remains fully compliant with the latest legal requirements.
Extended Working Hours: What Employers Need to Know?
One of the most crucial updates in the Maharashtra shops and establishment act amendment is the allowance for 10-hour workdays, provided that total weekly working hours don’t exceed the statutory limit.
Key Highlights:
- Daily Work Limit: 10 hours (including breaks)
- Spread-Over: Maximum of 12 hours per day
- Weekly Limit: Up to 48 hours, extendable under specific permissions
- Overtime Limit: Up to 144 hours per quarter
Employers can now design flexible shift schedules that improve productivity and operational efficiency. However, exceeding these limits without proper documentation or approval can result in penalties.
Startup Portal Business Services recommends revising your shift rosters and maintaining accurate attendance and overtime records to ensure compliance with the 2025 update.
Revised Spread-Over and Rest Interval Provisions:
The amendment redefines rest intervals and spread-over periods to ensure employees receive sufficient breaks.
New Provisions:
- Continuous work cannot exceed 5–6 hours without a minimum 30-minute rest interval.
- The total spread-over (including rest periods) must not exceed 12 hours per day.
Employers must display the work and rest schedule at the establishment and keep attendance records up to date.
At Startup Portal Business Services, we help organisations revise their employee handbooks and HR manuals in line with the latest Maharashtra shops and establishment act norms.
Updated Overtime Regulations and Compensation:
The amendment clarifies how overtime should be managed and compensated.
Key Updates:
- Overtime is payable at twice the employee’s ordinary rate of wages.
- The maximum overtime limit is now 144 hours per quarter (previously lower).
- Employers must maintain detailed overtime registers for inspection purposes.
These updates allow more flexibility for employees willing to earn extra through legal overtime, while ensuring proper documentation for employers. Startup Portal Business Services provides complete payroll setup and audit support so your overtime calculations, registers, and payslips meet the statutory requirements under the shop & Establishment Act Mumbai.
Women Employees in Night Shifts: New Opportunities
A landmark change in the 2025 amendment is the permission for women employees to work night shifts, subject to safety measures.
Employer Obligations:
- Provide secure transport for night-shift women employees.
- Maintain CCTV surveillance and proper lighting on the premises.
- Ensure there’s a female supervisor during night hours.
This change promotes gender equality in the workforce, especially in sectors like IT, hospitality, and healthcare. At Startup Portal Business Services, we help employers draft policies that support female staff working late hours while complying with all safety and welfare norms under the Maharashtra shops and Establishments Act.
24×7 Operations: Opportunities and Challenges
The 2025 amendment permits establishments — except those selling alcohol — to operate 24×7 with prior approval.
Opportunities for Businesses:
- Retail & Malls: Greater flexibility to meet customer demand.
- Restaurants & Hospitality: Extended capacity for late-night services.
- IT & E-commerce: Round-the-clock support and service capabilities.
- Small Businesses: Reduced downtime and improved revenue potential.
Key Challenges for Employers:
- Implementing 10-hour workdays without breaching weekly limits.
- Monitoring overtime compliance (144 hours per quarter).
- Updating policies for women employees on night shifts.
- Maintaining error-free wage registers and overtime records.
Businesses in Pune and Mumbai planning to extend hours must ensure complete compliance with these guidelines. The Startup Portal Business Services team assists in applying for extended-hour approvals and ensures your premises meet security and welfare requirements.
Increased Registration Threshold: Simplifying Compliance
The amendment also revises the registration threshold — now, only establishments employing 20 or more people are required to register under the Maharashtra Shops and establishment act.
Impact:
- Small businesses with fewer than 20 employees now have reduced paperwork and compliance costs.
- Establishments crossing this threshold must update their registration immediately.
- Renewal and amendment of registration must be done through the online labour department portal.
Startup Portal Business Services assists small and growing enterprises with registration, renewal, and compliance management to ensure smooth business operations in line with the updated shop and establishment license Maharashtra rules.
Impact on Businesses & Employees:
- Retail Shops & Malls: Flexibility for extended working hours and 24×7 operations boosts sales and footfall.
- Restaurants & Hospitality: Better capacity to manage late-night demand while staying compliant with rest and overtime rules.
- Employees: More opportunities for legal overtime earnings and flexible shift options.
- Small Businesses: Reduced paperwork burden as the registration threshold increases from 10 to 20 employees.
These reforms encourage business growth while protecting employee rights — a balanced approach that aligns with the government’s goal of promoting “Ease of Doing Business.”
Compliance Checklist for Employers:
Employers must:
- Update shift rosters for 10-hour daily and 12-hour spread-over.
- Track overtime up to 144 hours per quarter.
- Verify staff strength for registration compliance (20+ employees).
- Maintain complete labour law records for inspections.
- Implement safety protocols for women working night shifts.
- Display updated compliance posters in English and Marathi.
Startup Portal Business Services offers an all-in-one compliance checklist and automated tracking tools to help you stay inspection-ready under the Maharashtra shops and establishment act.
Navigating the 2025 Amendments Successfully:
The Maharashtra Shops & Establishments Amendment Ordinance, 2025 is a game-changer in labour reforms. It balances the state’s “Ease of Doing Business” agenda with robust protection of workers’ rights.
Employers must:
- Update shift rosters for 10-hour days and 12-hour spread-over limits.
- Track overtime accurately up to 144 hours per quarter.
- Ensure gender-sensitive workplace policies for night shifts.
- Verify registration requirements for 20+ employees.
The Startup Portal Business Services team in Pune and Mumbai is ready to help your organisation navigate these updates with expert guidance, digital filing, and end-to-end compliance support.
Final Word:
This labour law update Maharashtra 2025 marks a progressive step toward business flexibility and inclusivity. Employers should act now to align their operations with the new Maharashtra shops and establishment act provisions.
Contact Startup Portal Business Services today for:
- New or renewed shop and establishment license Maharashtra
- Payroll and overtime compliance setup
- HR policy updates for women night-shift workers
- 24×7 operation permission assistance
Stay compliant, efficient, and future-ready — with Startup Portal Business Services, your trusted partner for legal, HR, and business registration support in Maharashtra.