Gujarat amends factory law to allow night shifts for women, longer working hours
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
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