Karnataka Government Permits Factory Working Hours To Be Increased From 8 Hours A Day To 10 Hours A Day

In a sweeping push to boost economic activity in the incumbent COVID bound situation, Karnataka Government led by Chief Minister (CM) BS Yediyurappa yesterday (25 May) notified the 10-hours work shift per day, up from eight-hours permitted before, for a span of three months, reports Hindu Businessline.

State government's Labour Department has notified the development under Section 5 of the Factories Act, 1948 which empowers the State Government to make changes in 'emergency' situations. The order has freed the registered factories from Section 51 and 54 which deal with weekly and daily work hours respectively.

The notification however clearly stated that no adult worker would be allowed or required to work in a factory for more than 10 hours a day, or for more than 60 hours a week. It also mentioned that the provisions regarding overtime wages shall continue to be in force without any change.

It should be noted though that the government's decision has drawn flak from nine trade unions under the umbrella of Joint Committee of Trade Unions (JCTU). These bodies have alleged that the state government has fallen for the demands made by the employer's bodies which had been lobbying for the permitted working hours to be increased to 12 hours per day, and 72 hours per week.