The Indian labour ministry has recently clarified that the four-day work week will not be mandatory. With this, the ministry smashed the speculations triggered by the new labour codes.
The ministry stated that the codes are only intended to allow flexibility in terms of working hours, without imposing any mandate. Total weekly working hours will continue to be capped at 48, with pay and overtime rules remaining unchanged.
The ministry took to social media, “The Labour Codes allow flexibility of 12 hours for 4 workdays only, with the remaining 3 days as paid holidays. Weekly work hours remain fixed at 48 hours, and overtime beyond daily hours must be paid at double the wage rate.”
Under the new codes, exceeding 48 hours of work a week is not permitted. According to the labour ministry, the framework is designed to safeguard the workers from uncompensated overtime
Earlier in November, the Indian government laid down the new labour code. Under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020, the labour ministry reduced annual leaves to 180 days from 240 days, and mandated a 48-hour work-week.
