Rajasthan reverts to 8-hour working shifts in factories

The Rajasthan government has restored the working hours for factory workers to eight hours per day, within a month of its earlier order which increased working hours to 12.

Jaipur: In a big relief to workers, the Rajasthan government withdrew its earlier order increasing working limit in factories to 12 hours a day, and has now reverted to eight-hour shifts.

State labour minister Tikaram Jully informed that the Gehlot government has reversed its earlier order which temporarily increased the daily working period in factories from 8 to 12 hours.

Juli said that all factories have been now allowed to operate in lockdown 4.0. With most areas under green and orange zones seeing resumption of public transport, workers no longer require passes to commute, he said.

Meanwhile, the labour ministry has asked all factories to operate according to the guidelines set by the government. The ministry has also asked all workers to exercise social distancing and wear face-masks while on duty.

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On April 24, the government had increased the working hours to 12 from 8 hours per day to reduce the requirement of workers in all the registered factories, in view of the coronavirus spread.

The order issued last month to increase working hours was initially for three months for factories registered under the Factories Act, 1948. But it has been withdrawn in a month's time.

(With inputs from PTI)