The Maharashtra cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, recently approved significant amendments to labour laws that increase the daily working hours for private sector employees from 9 to 10 hours. In factories, the law allows up to 12 working hours a day, with mandatory rest breaks after six hours instead of five.
Additionally, the cap on overtime work in factories will rise from 115 to 144 hours per quarter, while in shops and establishments, overtime will increase from 125 to 144 hours. Importantly, any overtime requires written consent from workers, who will continue to receive double pay for extra hours worked.
These changes apply to establishments with 20 or more workers, while smaller organisations are exempted from registration but must notify authorities before starting operations.
Rationale Behind the Amendments
The government affirmed that these reforms aim to enhance the state’s ease of doing business, attract fresh investments, and stimulate employment opportunities. The amendments reflect a wider shift to modernise labour laws in line with states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Tripura, which have already adopted similar reforms.
The legal extension to 12-hour shifts in factories during peak demand or labour shortages provides industries with greater operational flexibility. The Labour Department emphasises that the changes promote a more inclusive and flexible work environment, especially benefiting women workers through better protections and addressing concerns from both employers and employees.
Safeguarding Workers’ Rights and Welfare
Along with accommodating longer working hours, the amendments aim to safeguard workers’ rights. The requirement for written consent to work overtime underscores efforts to protect employees’ interests. Rest breaks after six hours help mitigate fatigue.
The government has reinforced the guarantee of double wages for overtime, strengthening wage protection. Weekly work hours will also increase, from 10.5 to 12 hours, enabling employees to possibly earn two paid days off if they work the full 60-hour week permitted. These safeguards attempt to strike a balance between supporting industry needs and protecting workers’ health and dignity.
Addressing Concerns
Experts warn that longer hours may have adverse effects on employee well-being and productivity, especially in high-density cities like Mumbai where long commutes already extend the workday.
Cognitive fatigue may rise as effective productivity peaks around four to five hours daily. While the labour law amendments are poised to boost economic growth and employment, firms need to be careful enforcement to ensure workers are not overburdened or exploited.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Achieving a humane work environment alongside business growth reflects our commitment to kindness, dialogue, and coexistence. This balanced approach to labour reforms aims to foster prosperity while preserving workers’ dignity, a challenge meaningful for all stakeholders in Maharashtra’s evolving labour landscape.
While the amendments aim to boost economic growth and flexibility for businesses, it is essential to carefully monitor their implementation. Balancing the interests of employers seeking operational efficiency with employees’ need for fair working conditions will require transparent dialogue and robust regulatory oversight. Only time will reveal the full impact of these changes
