Right to Sit

Right to Sit

Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II –  Indian Constitution 

Context Recently, the Tamil Nadu government has tabled a bill to amend Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act, 1947.

• The bill sought to add a subsection to mandatorily provide seating facilities for the employees.

Key Highlights of the Bill

• Proposed Amendment: The proposed Section 22-A to the Act reads that the premises of every establishment shall have suitable seating arrangements for all employees so that they may take advantage of any opportunity to sit.
• Need of the Bill: Persons employed in shops and establishments are made to stand throughout their duty time resulting in varied health issues.
• Significance: It would benefit thousands of employees of large and small establishments, particularly those working in textile and jewellery showrooms.
• Similar Legislation: A few years ago, workers of textile showrooms in Kerala had gone on a protest demanding the ‘Right to Sit’.
  • This prompted the Kerala government to amend the Kerala Shops and Establishments Act in 2018 to provide seating arrangements for them.

News Source: TH