The Maharashtra government on Wednesday approved amendments to labour laws that will allow longer working hours in the private sector and factories, subject to overtime pay and workers’ consent.
Under the new norms, private establishments can extend the workday from nine to 10 hours, while factories can increase it from nine to 12 hours.
The new rules will be put in place through amendments to the Factories Act, 1948 and the Shops and Establishments Act, 2017.
The state said the move would allow industries to function without disruption during peak demand or labour shortages.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ office said the amendments are aimed at attracting investments, generating employment and safeguarding the rights of workers.
Any increased working hours will be considered as overtime, which would mean more income for employees, the Hindustan Times quoted Idzes Kundan, principal secretary of state labour department, as saying. “Whatever is being done after nine hours a day and 48 hours a week will trigger overtime,” the official said.
Rest breaks will be allowed after six hours instead of five and the legal overtime cap will rise from 115 to 144 hours per quarter.
Establishments with fewer than 20 workers will no longer need registration certificates but must notify authorities through a simple intimation...
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