Taking an important step towards the interests of workers, the Rajasthan Government has approved the ‘Rajasthan Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Ordinance 2025’. After the approval of this ordinance by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, not only will business activities be encouraged in the state, but the safety and welfare of employees and workers will also be further strengthened.
Under the new ordinance, children below 14 years of age will no longer be employed in any shop or commercial establishment in the state. Earlier this limit was fixed at 12 years. The government says that this amendment is a strong step towards the elimination of child labour, which will protect child rights and give more emphasis to education.
Along with this, the minimum age limit for apprentice has been increased from 12 years to 14 years. Its objective is to ensure that children first receive adequate primary education and only then move on to vocational training.
The ordinance also provides that teenagers in the age group of 14 to 18 years will no longer be able to work in night shifts. Earlier this limit was from 12 to 15 years. The government believes that making teenagers work late at night is not only harmful for health, but also has an adverse effect on mental development.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said that the aim of the state government is to create a balanced work environment in which both business development and labor interests are equally taken care of. He said that this amendment will further strengthen the economy of the state and provide respectable working conditions to the workers.
According to Labor Department officials, this ordinance will increase both legal clarity and accountability. The government is also now considering strengthening the digital record system and inspection mechanism to monitor workers’ rights.
The state government believes that these reforms will bring transparency in the operation of businesses, as well as establish effective control over the exploitation of children and adolescents.
Experts’ opinion:
Labor organizations and social workers have welcomed this decision. He says that this step not only shows strictness against child labour, but it will also play an important role in making Rajasthan a leading state in labor welfare policy.