Changes in Working Hours – Rajya Sabha QA

Changes in Working Hours – 12 hours of work a day instead of 8 hours of work a day as per the current labour laws

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2496
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2021

CHANGES IN WORKING HOURS

2496 DR. SANTANU SEN:

Will the Minister of Labour and Employment be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Government is considering to allow 12 hours of work a day instead of 8 hours of work a day as per the current labour laws, the details thereof;

(b) whether it is a fact that few States have already made the amendments to allow 12 hours of work a day instead of 8 hours of work a day, the details thereof, State-wise; and

(c) the details of such changes brought or proposed as it will only increase the exploitation of workers/employees by their employer?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a): The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHW&C) Code, 2020, has provisions for safety, health and working conditions of workers which include daily and weekly working hours, leave etc. The OSHW&C Code, 2020 has been published on 29th September, 2020 and will come into force on the date as notified by the Central Government. The OSHW&C Code, 2020 and draft Rules framed thereunder provide that no worker shall be required or allowed to work, in any establishment or class of establishments for more than eight hours in a day or forty eight hours in a week.

(b) & (c): Ministry of Labour and Employment has received the draft Ordinances/Bills from different State Governments through Ministry of Home Affairs regarding amendment in the existing provisions of the Factories Act, 1948 including extension of working hours under the Factories Act, 1948. This Ministry has not agreed to extend the working hours.

Source: Rajya Sabha