New Delhi: Assocham has urged the Centre to impress upon states to adopt the Model Shops and Establishments Bill, thereby allowing small and medium scale shops to remain open for all seven days.

The chamber expressed concern over the lukewarm response to the model Bill approved by the Centre last year, observing that so far, only Rajasthan has initiated an exercise for bringing in legislative provisions in sync with the Bill.

The state has begun work on bringing amendments in the Rajasthan Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958, to permit the small traders to keep their shops and retail outlets open throughout the week, Assocham said.

However, it said the interests of the workers employed in the shops and small outlets should be protected and they should not be made to work in double shifts without additional benefits. Besides, safety and security of the staff working late hours, particularly women, should be ensured.