The working hours of adults (workers who have reached the legal working age) in India are regulated by labor laws, including the Factories Act, 1948, and the Shops and Establishments Acts of various states. These laws set limits on the number of hours an adult worker can be required to work in a day and in a week, as well as the provision of rest intervals and overtime pay.
- Maximum Daily Working Hours:
- Under the Factories Act, 1948, in a factory, an adult worker should not be allowed to work for more than 9 hours a day. This includes one or more periods of rest which do not total more than 1.5 hours.
- The actual working hours may vary based on the nature of the industry and the specific provisions of the relevant state’s rules and regulations.
- Weekly Rest Day:
- The Factories Act, 1948, prescribes that an adult worker is entitled to at least one rest day in a week. This rest day is typically a Sunday, but it may vary based on the factory’s operational requirements, with prior notice to workers.
- Spread Over:
- The spread-over, as per the Factories Act, should not exceed ten and a half hours a day, including intervals for rest. This means that an adult worker’s total time at the workplace, including rest intervals, should not exceed 10.5 hours in a day.
- Overtime:
- If an adult worker is required to work beyond the normal working hours (either 9 hours a day or 48 hours a week), they are entitled to overtime pay as per the applicable labor laws. The rate of overtime pay is typically higher than the regular wage rate, often calculated at one-and-a-half times the normal wage.
- Night Shifts:
- For workers engaged in night shifts (typically between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM), additional protections are often provided, including transportation facilities and periodic health check-ups.
- Holidays and Leave:
- In addition to weekly rest days, adult workers are entitled to holidays and annual leave with wages as prescribed by labor laws.
