TN Assembly moves bill which allows 12-hour work in factories

Chennai, Apr 22 (KNN) On Friday, the Tamil Nadu Assembly has extended the working hours from 8 to 12 hours for factory workers by passing the Factories (Amendment) Act 2023.

The bill would stretch the mandatory working hours to 12 hours from the present 8 hours of duty. 

Condemning the bill, the opposition parties along with few of DMK’s ally Congress, Communist Party of India, and others walked out of the assembly.

The bill was moved by Labour Welfare and Skill Development Minister C V Ganesan amid a major uproar in the assembly.

It was passed through a voice vote.

The workers who would now have the option to work for four days in a week were assured by Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu that the total working hours in a week would remain unchanged

They will also be able to avail three days of leave.

DMK allies MLAs requested to reconsider and asked to withdraw this bill as it would affect the labourers. 

Meanwhile in the assembly Labour Minister C V Ganeshan clarified that this new act wouldn’t affect labourers in any way. 

“Because of this new amendment to the act Labourers won’t get affected. There won’t be any effect on 8 hours’ work, week off and Over Time wages. Industries would work in a way which won’t affect any Labourers,” he said. 

“Many industries are to come towards Tamil Nadu. Because of this act, labourers won’t get affected. Depending on their wishes only working hours would be chosen. There are no mandatory working hours,” Minister Thangam Thennarasu added.   (KNN Bureau)