Maharashtra May Soon Hike Working Hours to 10 Per Day in Private Sector
The Maharashtra government is considering a significant overhaul of its labour laws that could see the maximum daily working hours for employees in private establishments increased from nine to ten. The proposed changes, part of an amendment to the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act of 2017, would affect a wide range of businesses, including shops, hotels, and entertainment venues across the state.
A detailed presentation on the proposal was made by the state labour department to the cabinet on Tuesday. However, a final decision has been put on hold as ministers have sought more clarity on the potential impact of the sweeping changes. According to a senior minister who wished to remain anonymous, “The ministers wanted more clarity on provisions and their impact and hence the decision was put on hold today.”
The proposed amendments are substantial. Besides increasing the standard workday to 10 hours, the plan also seeks to raise the overtime limit from 125 to 144 hours per quarter. The total daily work hours, including overtime, would be extended from the current 10.5 to 12 hours. In a particularly notable change, the proposal suggests removing the daily cap altogether in cases of “urgent work,” effectively setting no maximum limit under such circumstances.
Furthermore, the continuous work stretch before a mandatory break would be extended from five to six hours. The legislation’s applicability is also set to change, with the new rules applying to establishments with 20 or more employees, up from the current threshold of 10. Officials from the labour department have indicated that the proposal was drafted in response to a long-pending demand from the private sector for more flexible labour regulations. The cabinet is expected to revisit the matter after a more detailed review.
