Latest news with #Factories(GujaratAmendment)Ordinance
The Hindu
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Gujarat amends factory law to allow night shifts for women, longer working hours
The Gujarat government has amended the Factories Act 1948 to allow women to work night shifts between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. with prescribed safety measures, while also increasing the maximum daily working hours from nine to twelve. The Factories (Gujarat Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, which came into effect on July 1, maintains the weekly 48-hour work limit but introduces several changes to labour regulations. Under the new provisions, factories can extend work shifts to twelve hours per day, including intervals, with workers' written consent. Overtime wages will be paid at double the ordinary rate, and the quarterly overtime limit has been raised from 75 to 125 hours. For women opting for night shifts, employers must implement safety protocols including adequate lighting, CCTV surveillance, female security personnel, and secure transportation. A minimum of ten women must be scheduled per night shift, and no worker can be compelled to work on night shifts without written consent. Written consent must The newly promulgated ordinance explicitly prohibits compulsory night shifts for women workers, requiring factories to secure written consent from any female employee opting for such duties. Implemented during the Gujarat Legislative Assembly's recess, these amendments seek to enhance operational flexibility in industrial establishments to stimulate investment and job creation. Key modifications include revisions to Section 54 of the Factories Act, permitting an extension of daily working hours from nine to twelve, while maintaining the 48-hour weekly limit and mandating employee consent. Additional provisions authorise the State government to increase continuous working periods without breaks from five to six hours. The existing overtime wage structure remains unchanged at double the standard rate, though the quarterly overtime threshold has been elevated from 75 to 125 hours – subject to workers' explicit written approval in all cases
Hans India
18 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Gujarat govt amends Factory Work Laws, allows 12-hour shift and night duties for women
Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has introduced a sweeping set of labour reforms through an ordinance that allows factory workers to clock up to 12 hours a day, up from the previous 9-hour limit, while retaining the weekly cap of 48 working hours. The move is part of the Factories (Gujarat Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, which was issued on July 1 by the Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department, in the absence of a state assembly session. The ordinance is aimed at improving industrial flexibility to boost investments, productivity, and job creation in Gujarat's manufacturing sector. Under the revised Section 54 of the Factories Act, daily work shifts can now officially stretch to 12 hours, subject to written consent from workers and adherence to weekly hour limits. In addition, the uninterrupted work period can be extended from five to six hours, pending formal notification. Increased provisions for overtime compensation have also been included: workers will now be paid double wages for extra hours, and the quarterly overtime ceiling has been lifted from 75 to 125 hours, again requiring voluntary worker participation. A key highlight of the amendment is the provision allowing women to work night shifts (between 7 pm and 6 am), a step seen as a push for gender inclusivity in industrial workplaces. However, this will be subject to 16 stringent safeguards, including round-the-clock CCTV surveillance, female security staff, a minimum of 10 women per shift, and secure transportation. Crucially, no woman can be assigned night duties without written consent, and protection from harassment is mandatory. The Factories (Gujarat Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, introduces significant changes to labour regulations in the state, primarily aimed at enhancing industrial efficiency and employment flexibility. Key provisions include increasing the permissible daily working hours from 9 to 12, with a continued weekly cap of 48 hours, subject to the worker's written consent. It also extends the maximum uninterrupted work period from five to six hours, and raises the quarterly overtime limit from 75 to 125 hours, with mandatory double-wage compensation.
