The Hind Mazdoor Sabha has opposed the Maharashtra government’s recent decision to increase working hours in factories, shops, and other establishments.
The union has warned of launching statewide protests if the move is not withdrawn immediately, reported the PTI.
Sanjay Wadhavkar, General Secretary of the Maharashtra Council of Hind Mazdoor Sabha, called the decision “anti-worker” and said it would effectively legalise the exploitation of workers, according to the PTI.
He criticised the lack of manpower in the labour department, which he said is already inadequate to ensure compliance with existing labour protections.
“This decision was taken under pressure from the Union government, without consulting trade unions. It is clearly intended to boost corporate profits at the expense of workers` health and rights,” said Wadhavkar, as per the PTI.
“Previously, workers were entitled to a 30-minute break after five hours of work. Under the new rules, this will come only after six hours. This is a direct attack on existing safeguards,” he added.
The Maharashtra Cabinet gave its approval on 3 September to amend the Factories Act, 1948, and the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017.
With these amendments — Factory workers’ daily working hours may increase from 9 to 12 hours, rest breaks will be provided after 6 hours instead of 5, overtime limit raised from 115 to 144 hours per quarter with written consent from workers, weekly working hours will increase from 10.5 to 12 hours, for shops and establishments with 20 or more employees, the changes will allow –daily hours to increase from 9 to 10, overtime limits from 125 to 144 hours, emergency duty hours to go up to 12, as per the PTI.
The state government claims these changes follow recommendations from a central task force and aim to bring Maharashtra in line with other states, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Tripura, which have already adopted similar reforms.
However, Wadhavkar asserted that unless the decision is revoked, the Hind Mazdoor Sabha will coordinate with other trade unions to hold protests across Maharashtra, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
