Dear Employers,
Staying on top of regulatory changes across India can be a challenge. To help you navigate the latest developments, we’ve compiled a summary of the most important compliance updates from August 2025.
Here’s a quick-read rundown of crucial notifications and acts that could impact your business, Important updates on Labour Law Compliance – time to catch up with new changes and notifications related to HR and Labour Laws in the month of August 2025.
State-Specific Compliance Updates
- Women Employment in Punjab Night Shifts: As of July 30, 2025, Punjab now permits night shift work for women in Shops and Commercial Establishments. The new notification outlines mandatory safety provisions, including secured transportation, CCTV surveillance, and lighting.
- Maharashtra Minimum Wages & VDA: The Maharashtra government announced on August 4, 2025, that minimum wage rates for July to December 2025 would remain unchanged, with no revision to the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA).
- Women Employment in Delhi Night Shifts: Following a notification on August 7, 2025, Delhi has moved from a permission-based system to a general exemption for night-shift women employment. Employers must still meet specific safety conditions to comply.
- Bihar Shops and Establishments Act, 2025: Effective August 12, 2025, this new act regulates the employment and service conditions for all shops and commercial establishments in Bihar.
- 24×7 Operations in Puducherry: No recent specific notification for 24×7 operations in Puducherry was identified in the available information.
- Bihar Holiday List (FY 2026): The Bihar government’s General Administration Department has published its official holiday calendar for the 2026 fiscal year.
- 24×7 Operations in Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Administration’s Labour Department issued a notification on June 25, 2024, that allows certain establishments to operate 24×7, provided they adhere to regulations protecting employee rights.
- Rajasthan Shops & Establishments Registration: Starting August 20, 2025, establishments with up to 10 employees in Rajasthan are exempt from registration under the state’s Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958.
- Kerala Minimum Wages & CPI: The CPI index update related to minimum wages in Kerala for June 2025 has been detailed in blog posts and compliance summaries released in August 2025.
- Uttar Pradesh VDA Revision (Engineering): A notification dated August 21, 2025, revises the Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) for the engineering industry in Uttar Pradesh, effective August 1, 2025.
- Sexual Harassment Act in Karnataka: The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, is a national law. While states like Karnataka enforce it, the item was clarified to refer to the central act, with enforcement handled by local bodies.
- Punjab Shops Act Amendment, 2025: Published on August 29, 2025, this amendment exempts smaller establishments from many provisions of the original act and updates working hour regulations.
- Kolkata Signage in Bengali: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) issued a circular on August 30, 2025, mandating that all signage within its jurisdiction must feature Bengali (Bangla) language prominently at the top.
National-Level Updates from EPFO and ESI
- Aadhaar Seeding for UAN: An EPFO circular on August 13, 2025, simplified the process for seeding and correcting Aadhaar details for employees. This streamlines the process for employers and corrects discrepancies.
- EPF Death Claim Simplification: The EPFO also released a circular on August 13, 2025, removing the requirement for a guardianship certificate for death claims for minor children. Proceeds can now be settled directly into the minor’s bank account.
- Alternate Documents for ESI: The Ministry of Labour and Employment announced on August 19, 2025, that Aadhaar authentication for ESI beneficiaries is voluntary. The ESIC must accept alternative identification, ensuring access to services for all.
Thank you for reading. We hope the information was helpful to you!
Team SGC Services
NOIDA | DELHI | MUMBAI | BANGALORE
#TeamSGC #SGCSERVICES #PayrollOutsourcing
Visit us: www.sgcservices.com
Regulatory Bulletin_August’2025.pdf
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