The Labour Department of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector is reminding entities operating under the provisions of the Shops Act, 2015 that Independence Day and Christmas Day are two of the four closed days stipulated by the Act. The other closed days are Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Section 4 of the Shops Act permits the occupier of a shop to apply to the Chief Labour Officer for the grant of a licence to operate on a closed day.
Shops in which only members of the occupier’s family are employed and those listed in the First Schedule of the Act, are exempt from the requirement to apply for a licence to operate on a closed day. Persons may download the First Schedule by clicking here.
Employers are reminded that an employee is entitled to be paid not less than twice the amount of their ordinary rate of pay if he/she is required to work on his/her day off or on a public holiday. As it is not compulsory for employees to work extended shifts, reasonable prior notice should be given to employees who are required to work additional hours – unless the request is made in unforeseen circumstances.
Likewise, employees should also provide adequate notice to employers when previously agreed periods of overtime cannot be worked. Applications with respect to a licence to operate on Independence Day are to be submitted no later than November 25, 2024 and with respect to Christmas Day, no later than December 11, 2024. Persons may click here to complete and submit their application.
For further information, persons may contact the Labour Department at one of the following numbers: 535-1528, 535-1503, 832-0534, 832-0535, 832-0536, 832-0538, 832-0477 and 832-0478 or by emailing labour@labour.gov.bb
