It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 25-3-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 25-3 entitled "Work Permit on Holidays and Sundays" is hereby amended to read as follows:

25-3-3. Work on Sundays or holidays. -- {ADD (a) ADD} Work on Sundays or holidays which would otherwise be unlawful, may be performed hereunder only pursuant to permit issued by the director. Permits shall be issued only in cases of economic necessity and shall be effective for the period specified therein. In no event shall any permit be effective for more than one year. Work performed by employees on Sundays and holidays pursuant to permit issued by the director must be paid for at least one and one half (1 1/2) times the normal rate of pay for the work performed; provided that issuance of a permit shall not be grounds for discharge or other penalty upon any employee for refusing to work upon any of the Sundays and holidays enumerated herein ; provided further that any {ADD . ADD}

{ADD (b) Any manufacturer which operates for seven (7) continuous days per week, twenty-four (24) hours per day, and has complied with the provisions of subsection (a) above is exempt from the requirement that such work be voluntary on Sundays as provided therein provided that the manufacturer increases employment by at least ten percent (10%), within one year of its conversion to continuous operation from non-continuous operation.

(c) Any ADD} manufacturer which operates three (3) shifts or begins its work week on Sundays may begin the shift or start the work week at 11:00 P.M. on Sunday and not be required to pay its employees one and one-half (1 1/2) times the normal rate of pay during the one (1) hour period between 11:00 P.M. Sunday and 12 midnight.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.