In a move sparking heated debate, the Gujarat Assembly has passed a new bill that extends the maximum working hours in factories from 9 to 12 hours per day, while also permitting women to take up night
shifts between 7 pm and 6 am—provided employers ensure adequate safety measures.
The bill, supported by the ruling BJP, replaces an ordinance first introduced in July. The government argues the legislation will boost industrial productivity, attract investment, and create more employment opportunities. But opposition parties—Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)—call it a dangerous rollback of labour rights that could severely harm workers’ health.
The 12-Hour Formula
According to Industries Minister Balwant Singh Rajput, the bill does not raise the weekly cap on working hours, which remains at 48. Instead, it offers flexibility: employees may work 12 hours a day for four days and take the remaining three offs.
“This way, the weekly workload is the same, but factories can maximise output when needed,” Rajput explained. He also suggested that the measure could benefit workers who prefer longer weekends and provide industries with a more efficient workforce schedule.
Women In Night Shifts
Another major change is allowing women to work night shifts—a first for Gujarat’s industrial law. The government insists that employers will be required to ensure proper security, transport, and workplace safeguards before women can be rostered at night.
Supporters of the bill argue this provision could expand women’s participation in the workforce and align Gujarat with global labor practices. Critics, however, question whether companies will truly prioritize safety or simply use the law to cut costs.
The Opposition’s Concerns
Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani labelled the bill “legalised exploitation,” saying most workers in Gujarat already work beyond eight hours without fair overtime pay. He said by formalising 12-hour shifts, the state is putting poor, malnourished laborers at greater risk of ill health, warning that fatigue-related accidents could rise.
Mevani also argued that the clause requiring “worker consent” is meaningless in practice, as employees rarely have the power to refuse extra hours without risking dismissal.
AAP leaders echoed the criticism. Gopal Italia accused the BJP of siding with factory owners instead of workers. Former AAP MLA Umesh Makwana went further, tearing a copy of the bill on the Assembly floor in protest.
Reform Or Regression?
Supporters of the bill point out that 12-hour shift systems exist in some global industries—especially where continuous production is critical. Advocates argue that Gujarat, one of India’s top industrial states, needs flexible labour laws to compete internationally.
Critics counter that such comparisons ignore the realities of Indian labour. In many factories, they say, workers already face low wages, inadequate food, and minimal healthcare. Forcing them into longer shifts could worsen malnutrition, stress-related illnesses, and workplace injuries.
Broader Context
India’s labour laws have long been a battleground between economic reformers and labour rights advocates. Pro-business leaders argue that outdated regulations discourage investment and keep productivity low. Trade unions and opposition parties warn that reforms often erode hard-won rights, pushing vulnerable workers into conditions reminiscent of the pre-independence era.
The Gujarat bill highlights this tension. On one hand, it seeks to position the state as an investment-friendly hub. On the other, it exposes fault lines in how India balances industrial growth with worker welfare.
What Comes Next?
The new law has already stirred national debate and may inspire similar moves in other states. If implemented strictly with safeguards and fair pay, the bill could reshape Gujarat’s industrial workforce. But if worker protections are ignored, it risks triggering labour unrest and widening political rifts.
