Ease of Doing Business? Andhra Extends Workday to 10 Hours !
Labour unions have expressed concern that the extended work hours could lead to increased worker exploitation and fatigue, especially in sectors already known for high workloads.
Raj Gupta
In a significant policy shift aimed at enhancing industrial growth and attracting private investment, the Andhra Pradesh government has revised state labour laws, increasing the permissible working hours for employees in the private sector from 9 to 10 hours per day.
The decision was approved during a recent cabinet meeting led by the TDP-headed NDA government. The changes are being implemented through amendments to the Andhra Pradesh Factories Act and form part of the state’s broader “Ease of Doing Business” strategy.
Announcing the reforms, Information and Public Relations Minister K Parthasarathy said the changes were designed to align state labour policies with global standards and make the environment more conducive for both businesses and workers. “With these amendments, Andhra Pradesh becomes more competitive in attracting factories and industries. The policies are pro-investor but also designed to benefit workers through increased income opportunities,” he said.
Key Changes:
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Working hours have been extended from 9 to 10 hours per day.
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The rest break will now be given after 6 hours of continuous work, compared to the previous provision of a 30-minute break after 5 hours.
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The quarterly overtime limit has been raised significantly, from 75 hours to 144 hours.
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Modifications have also been introduced to allow greater participation of women in night shifts, a move the government says supports economic empowerment and workplace inclusion.
The government believes these revisions will not only streamline industrial operations but also foster job creation by incentivizing new investments in the state. “With global industrial trends in mind, we’ve aimed to strike a balance between economic growth and worker rights,” Parthasarathy said.
However, the move has not been without controversy. Labour unions have expressed concern that the extended work hours could lead to increased worker exploitation and fatigue, especially in sectors already known for high workloads.
While the government maintains that the changes are meant to be “worker-friendly,” critics argue that such reforms should have been brought in with broader consultations involving employee representatives.
As Andhra Pradesh positions itself as an industrial hub, the impact of these labour law changes on ground-level working conditions will be closely monitored by stakeholders across the spectrum.
