The Maharashtra government is reviewing a proposal to increase the maximum daily working hours for private sector employees from the current nine hours to ten, according to media reports.
The proposal was presented by the state labour department to the state cabinet in Mumbai on Tuesday.
It involves making changes to the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017, which governs working hours in shops, hotels, and businesses across the state.
Proposed Increase in Daily Work Hours
Labour Minister Akash Fundkar said on Wednesday that the proposal aims to extend daily working hours from 9 to 10 for private sector employees.
The goal, he said, is to give more flexibility at workplaces and align Maharashtra’s labour laws with international standards.
The minister also pointed out that many private employees already work more than the allowed hours without proper compensation. This situation is one of the reasons behind the proposal to officially increase working hours.
Changes in Overtime Rules
As part of the proposed amendments, the maximum overtime limit would be increased from 125 to 144 hours every three months, according to media reports.
The plan also includes updating rules about continuous working hours, requiring mandatory breaks during long shifts.
These changes aim to make workplaces more employee-friendly and address long-standing concerns of both workers and employers.
Once India’s broader labour codes are finalized, women will also be allowed to work late hours, the minister noted.
Currently, establishments with 10 or fewer workers are not covered under the ministry’s jurisdiction. The new proposal suggests raising this limit to 20.
Minister Fundkar emphasized that no final decisions have been made yet. All aspects of the proposals are still under review.
