The Kerala Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1958 was enacted to ensure that employees in industrial establishments within the state of Kerala receive adequate national and festival holidays.

Applicability:

1. Any Establishment, Industrial, Commercial or otherwise wherein 20 or more persons are or were employed.
2. The Act mandates that every employee shall be allowed in each calendar year holidays with wages on 26^th January, 15^th August, 1^st May and 2^nd October and 9 other Festival Holidays.
3. To be entitled for a holiday, other than for the first 4, the employee shall be in service for a total period of 30 days within a continuous period of 90 days immediately prior to the holiday.
4. The list of Holidays to be submitted to the Labour Officer on or before 30^th November of every year for his approval.
5. Employers are obligated to display the list of holidays in their establishments.
6. Employer may, by notice in writing, require an employee to work on any such holiday.
7. Where an employee works on a holiday, he shall be entitled to twice the wages and to avail himself of a substituted holiday on any other day.
8. The Act imposes penalties on employers who violate its provisions, such as failing to grant holidays or paying inadequate wages. Additionally, obstructing an inspector’s duties is also punishable.

Adv C B Mukundan

Norms Management Private Limited