GoM backs flexible working hours in textile sector
02 Aug '06
2 min read
The Government has constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) on the “Textile Export scenario – performance, prospects and the way forward”.
The GoM held its meeting on 15th May, 2006, in which it considered inter-alia the following proposals for providing flexibilities in labour laws in the textile sector :
i) Provide flextibility to textile exporting units in hiring labour, by amendment to the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, exempting textile units (units exporting 75 per cent of their annual production) from the provisions of Chapter V(B), provided such units give employment for at least 100 days in a year for all their workers.
ii) Treating export activity in the textile sector as a public utility service, for the purpose of industrial dispute. This would require amendment to the Section 2(n) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 declaring textile export activity as Public Utility Service.
iii) Amendment in Section 51 and 54 of the Factories Act, 1948 to increase the weekly working hours from 48 hrs per week to 60 hours per week and the daily working hours from 9 hours a day to 12 hours a day. The workers would suitably be compensated for working during the extra working hours.
The GoM, in its meeting of 15th May, 2006 decided inter-alia that the consultations be held with Chief Ministers / Industry Ministers of State Governments / Trade Unions leaders and other stake holders for considering proposed amendments in the Industrial Disputes Act. 1947 and Factories Act, 1948.
marketing@alchempro.com
