India is Considering Four Day Work Weeks but with Longer Shifts

The Indian government might soon allow companies to go ahead with a four-day work week. The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment is working on new labour codes which will make way for a three-day weekend, but will keep the working hours at 48 hours a week, which means employees might be subject to long days.

“Companies will have to give three days’ of paid leaves and 12 hours of work per day to their employees with the consent of the workers. We are not forcing employees or employers. It gives flexibility. It’s an enabling provision in sync with the changing work culture. We have tried to make some changes. We have tried to give flexibility in working days” 

-Labour and Employment Ministry Secretary Apurva Chandra.

A survey conducted in 2020 showed that employees feel a four-day work week concept is at least five years away in India. Especially, given that employees, in many cases, are made to work beyond five days in a week currently.

OBSERVATIONS : Continuous process industries or manufacturing industries : Such practices may not be possible but only possible in service sectors .

Practically , I say that it is very difficult to implement the concept of 4 days in week in Indian industries. Let us wait for reactions of the Employers.

From the desk of SK Gupta , Advocate , Supreme Court

skpfdelhi@gmail.com