PANAJI:
Here comes a proposal for a 12-hour daily work shift for factory workers in the State.
The Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers has proposed to amend the Factories Act, 1948 as implemented in the State of Goa to extend the working hours from 60 hours to 72 hours a week.
In effect, it would mean enhancing the workshift from eight hours a day to 12 hours a day, a proposal that is unlikely to find favour with the working unions.
“Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers, Government of Goa which performs the statutory function of enforcement and implementation of the Factories Act, 1948 (Central Act 63 of 1948), intends to propose a bill to amend Section 65 of the said Act, as in force in the State of Goa so to enhance the total hours of work per week including overtime from 60 to 72 hours, the total hours of overtime in any quarter from 75 to 125 hours,” the department said in a statement to the press.
Justifying their decision, the department has said it is being done in order to keep Goan industry competitive in view of ‘liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation.
“Survival has become the main problem against the backdrop of opening of the economy since 1991. Flexibility in hours of work is indispensable to maintain the pace of production. To create such environment, several enactments are required to be revisited and re-looked into,” the department said.
The amendment also seeks to allow flexible working hours for women in order to avoid discrimination against women in ‘modern times.’
The Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers seeks to “amend Section 66 of the said Act empowering the State Government to vary the current time limits with respect to employment of women while ensuring the safety of women who work in any factory or manufacturing process between the hours of 7 pm and 6 am, which will improve the employability of women and also help the industry to select the staff of their choice,” the department said. People seeking to send suggestions and objections have till February 29 to submit their say.
