Question: Recently the Lok Sabha on passed the Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016 that seeks to increase the working overtime hours per quarter up to-
(a)115 Hours
(b)150 Hours
(c)100 Hours
(d)50 Hours
Ans: (c)
Related facts:
- On 10 August 2016; the Lok Sabha passed the Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
- The Bill amends the Factories Act, 1948. The Act regulates the safety, health and welfare of factory workers. The Bill amends provisions related to overtime hours of work.
- The Act permits the state government to prescribe rules on a range of matters, including double employment, details of adult workers to be included in the factory’s register, conditions related to exemptions to certain workers, etc.
- The Bill gives such rule making powers to the central government as well.
- Under the Act, the state government may make rules to-
(i)define persons who hold management or confidential positions; and
(ii)Exempt certain types of adult workers (e.g. those engaged for urgent repairs) from fixed working hours, periods of rest, etc. - The Bill gives such rule making powers to both, the central and state governments.
- Under the Act, such rules will not apply for more than five years.
- The Bill modifies this provision to state that the five-year limitation will not apply to rules made after the enactment of this Bill.
- The Act permits the state government to make rules related to the regulation of overtime hours of work.
- However, the total number of hours of overtime must not exceed 50 hours for a quarter.
- The Bill raises this limit to 100 hours. Rules in this regard may be prescribed by the central government as well.
- The Bill introduces a provision which permits the central or state government to extend the 115-hour limit to 125 hours.
- It may do so because of (i) excessive work load in the factory and (ii) public interest.
Reference:
http://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/the-factories-amendment-bill-2016/
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=148706
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/lok-sabha-passes-factories-amendment-bill-2016-116081001776_1.html
http://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/the-factories-amendment-bill-2016-4368/