The Bill was passed by the Assembly without debate, but when it was adopted by the Council during a walkout, the Congress, JD (S), and even two BJP members were strongly opposed. Given that this was the last session of the Assembly and that elections were just around the horizon, it seems the MLAs had lost all interest in legislative activity and couldn’t give a damn about the labour class whose cause they purport to support. The government claims that the discretionary and non-mandatory expansion of working hours will help India catch up to China in the industrial sector. The new law permits an increase in overtime from 75 to 145 hours over the course of three months. According to the government, this will increase India’s competitiveness and encourage foreign investment.
The decision to permit women to work night shifts is a positive step towards equal opportunity, provided that the amendment’s strict adherence to the rules for ensuring their safety is maintained.
Source: iPleadersMembers of the Council from all parties asked that the Bill be withdrawn because it would open the door for human rights abuses. The members claimed that no consultation was undertaken with the primary stakeholders, namely the workers, and accused the government of writing the Bill primarily for the advantage of factory owners. However, the government emphasised that they were already working on night shifts in the healthcare, hospitality, IT, and other sectors, allapping concerns of some members that the change would result in sexual assault of women.
While the amendment does include some protections to make sure that workers are not abused, these rules typically only exist on paper, forcing the labour force to work longer hours for no additional pay. Also, the working environment might be lot better.
Source: TheworkersrightEven while the government’s intentions may be beneficial and the manufacturing industry may benefit, it is vital to create a monitoring system to make sure that factories do not abuse the new rules to exploit workers. To ensure that both parties can profit, a balance needs to be struck between fostering an environment that is favourable for business and safeguarding employees’ rights.
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