The Maharashtra government is considering a proposal to extend the daily working hours for employees in private companies from the existing nine to ten hours. The change is part of planned amendments to the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017, which governs working conditions in shops, hotels, entertainment outlets and similar establishments.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, the labour department placed the proposal before the state cabinet on Tuesday. While the matter was discussed, cabinet members have reportedly asked for more details before moving ahead.
The draft amendment to Section 12 of the Act proposes allowing employees to work for over six hours at a stretch, provided they receive a half-hour break. At present, the continuous work limit without a break is five hours.
The labour department has also suggested increasing the overtime cap from 125 to 144 hours over three months. Under the new plan, employees may work up to 12 hours a day including overtime, compared to the current limit of 10.5 hours. In cases of urgent work, the existing 12-hour daily ceiling could be removed, effectively scrapping the maximum limit.
Who will it apply to?
If cleared, the changes will be applicable only to establishments employing 20 or more workers. The current law covers businesses with 10 or more employees.
Debate over long hours
The proposal comes amid growing debates on work-life balance. Earlier this year, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman S N Subrahmanyan sparked controversy after suggesting a 90-hour work week, echoing Infosys founder Narayana Murthy’s earlier call for 70-hour weeks.
Industry leaders have argued that longer hours may drive productivity, but many experts and companies believe otherwise.
The state government is expected to review the proposal further before making a final decision.