On January 21, 2025, the Government of Gujarat issued an important notification regarding the Municipalities General, Mid-Session, and Sub-Elections scheduled for Sunday, February 16, 2025. This announcement comes in response to the need to ensure that employees working in shops and establishments under the Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2019, are able to exercise their right to vote.
Key Details of the Notification:
Election Schedule:
- The State Election Commission has scheduled elections for Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, District Panchayats, and Taluka Panchayats in Gujarat on February 16, 2025, which is a Sunday.
- The voting will take place from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Special Leave for Employees:
- According to the Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2019, employers must provide employees with special leave of three hours on the polling day if their weekly holiday does not coincide with the election day.
- This leave provision applies to all workers, including daily and casual workers.
- If employees are unable to take leave during working hours, establishments can make alternative arrangements, such as giving the employee leave on another day or adjusting the schedule to ensure the employee gets a chance to vote.
Exceptions:
- The special leave provision does not apply to employees whose absence would lead to significant disruption to business operations or result in substantial loss for the establishment.
- In such cases, employers can make arrangements for the employees to vote at a later time or on an alternative day.
Action Required by Employers:
- Employers must ensure that arrangements are in place to allow workers to take their three-hour special leave for voting or to offer an alternative arrangement on a weekly holiday.
- Establishments should make necessary adjustments to ensure that the employees can exercise their right to vote without causing disruption to their work.
Communication from the Labor Commissioner:
- The Labor Commissioner of Gujarat has emphasized that the notification applies across all areas under the election, ensuring that employees can exercise their democratic rights on February 16, 2025.
- Employers are encouraged to comply with the guidelines and provide leave or adjust work schedules as needed.
