The Gujarat Assembly on Wednesday passed the Factories (Gujarat Amendment) Bill, 2025, a significant change to the Factories Act, 1948, that could reshape the state’s industrial workforce. The bill, supported by BJP MLAs and opposed by Congress and AAP legislators, increases the permissible daily work limit for factory employees from nine hours to 12 hours while keeping the total weekly cap at 48 hours.
Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, who tabled the bill, explained that the move is aimed at boosting investment, spurring industrial development, and creating more employment opportunities. Rajput clarified that the measure will not lead to worker exploitation since the overall weekly working hours remain unchanged. “If a worker completes 48 hours by working 12 hours a day for four days, they will be entitled to paid leave for the remaining three days of the week,” he said, framing the amendment as a step toward flexible work schedules.
The bill also introduces a provision allowing women to work night shifts between 7 pm and 6 am, provided that adequate safety measures are in place.
However, opposition leaders voiced strong objections. Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani argued that the amendment amounts to worker exploitation and could harm labourers’ health. "Anyway, they are already working for 11 to 12 hours a day, as the nine-hour work shift rule is not followed. If you extend them to 12 hours, the workers will be forced to toil for 13 to 14 hours," he said.
Mevani claimed the extended work hours will adversely affect the health of workers as they will be deprived of sufficient sleep due to long work hours.
"The state cannot progress by forcing poor workers, who are already malnourished, to work for 12 hours," he said.
"The bill claims that factory owners will be required to obtain workers' consent for increasing the working hours. Can a poor labourer turn down this demand? He will be immediately sacked by the owner for refusing to work for 12 hours. There are many alternatives to achieve economic progress, and this is certainly not the way," said the Congress MLA.
AAP legislator Gopal Italia accused the government of favouring factory owners and criticized the absence of job protection clauses. Despite protests and disruptions, the bill was passed by a majority voice vote, paving the way for a possible four-day workweek model with three days off for workers.
"What was the emergency to bring an ordinance first? Did workers or unions approach you and demand that working hours be increased? Without the job protection clause, the consent clause had no meaning as workers would be fired if they refuse to work for 12 hours. There must be a concrete assurance that no one will lose their job," said Italia.
Botad MLA Umesh Makwana, who had been suspended from AAP, also opposed the bill and tore its copy.
Minister Rajput told the House that he had alleviated apprehensions of major trade and labour unions after promulgating the ordinance in July.
"I told labour union leaders that they need not worry because provisions of this amendment are temporary. If we find that factory owners are not following norms and workers are subjected to injustice, this bill empowers us to withdraw the amendment," he said.
However, as the Congress and AAP opposed the bill, it was eventually passed through a majority voice vote.
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Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, who tabled the bill, explained that the move is aimed at boosting investment, spurring industrial development, and creating more employment opportunities. Rajput clarified that the measure will not lead to worker exploitation since the overall weekly working hours remain unchanged. “If a worker completes 48 hours by working 12 hours a day for four days, they will be entitled to paid leave for the remaining three days of the week,” he said, framing the amendment as a step toward flexible work schedules.
The bill also introduces a provision allowing women to work night shifts between 7 pm and 6 am, provided that adequate safety measures are in place.
However, opposition leaders voiced strong objections. Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani argued that the amendment amounts to worker exploitation and could harm labourers’ health. "Anyway, they are already working for 11 to 12 hours a day, as the nine-hour work shift rule is not followed. If you extend them to 12 hours, the workers will be forced to toil for 13 to 14 hours," he said.
Mevani claimed the extended work hours will adversely affect the health of workers as they will be deprived of sufficient sleep due to long work hours.
"The state cannot progress by forcing poor workers, who are already malnourished, to work for 12 hours," he said.
"The bill claims that factory owners will be required to obtain workers' consent for increasing the working hours. Can a poor labourer turn down this demand? He will be immediately sacked by the owner for refusing to work for 12 hours. There are many alternatives to achieve economic progress, and this is certainly not the way," said the Congress MLA.
AAP legislator Gopal Italia accused the government of favouring factory owners and criticized the absence of job protection clauses. Despite protests and disruptions, the bill was passed by a majority voice vote, paving the way for a possible four-day workweek model with three days off for workers.
"What was the emergency to bring an ordinance first? Did workers or unions approach you and demand that working hours be increased? Without the job protection clause, the consent clause had no meaning as workers would be fired if they refuse to work for 12 hours. There must be a concrete assurance that no one will lose their job," said Italia.
Botad MLA Umesh Makwana, who had been suspended from AAP, also opposed the bill and tore its copy.
Minister Rajput told the House that he had alleviated apprehensions of major trade and labour unions after promulgating the ordinance in July.
"I told labour union leaders that they need not worry because provisions of this amendment are temporary. If we find that factory owners are not following norms and workers are subjected to injustice, this bill empowers us to withdraw the amendment," he said.
However, as the Congress and AAP opposed the bill, it was eventually passed through a majority voice vote.
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