Maharashtra State Cabinet Approves Amendments to Boost Investment and Employment
Mumbai: The Maharashtra state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has approved significant amendments to the Factories Act, 1948, and the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, 2017. These changes aim to enhance investment opportunities and create more employment in the state.
Key Changes to the Factories Act, 1948
The amendments to the Factories Act include:
- Increasing daily working hours from 9 to 12 hours (Section 65).
- Extending the rest period after continuous work from 30 minutes after 5 hours to after 6 hours (Section 55).
- Raising the weekly work limit from 10.5 hours to 12 hours (Section 56).
These changes are designed to ensure operational continuity during periods of high demand or worker shortages. At the same time, they offer workers the opportunity to earn additional income with legal wage protections in place.
Amendments to the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, 2017
For establishments with 20 or more workers, the following changes have been introduced:
- Daily working hours increased from 9 to 10 hours.
- Urgent work duration extended up to 12 hours.
- Overtime hours increased from 125 to 144 hours.
Additionally, establishments with fewer than 20 employees are now exempt from obtaining registration certificates. However, they are required to notify authorities before commencing operations.
These amendments aim to provide greater flexibility to businesses while safeguarding the rights and welfare of employees.
