In a sweeping labour reform, the Andhra Pradesh government has amended its labour laws to extend the minimum workday from 9 to 10 hours for private companies and factories. The move, aimed at boosting industrial productivity and attracting investments, has triggered criticism from trade unions and social media users over concerns about employee rights.
Govt Justifies Move as Growth-Oriented Reform
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led administration defended the policy, stating it aligns with the state’s IT & GCC Policy 4.0, which encourages flexible work models and remote options. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the reform is part of a broader development strategy aimed at improving work-life balance and job creation.
“This initiative can help us strike a better work-life balance,” Naidu said.
Women Allowed to Work Night Shifts with Safeguards
One of the notable changes in the law is the provision that permits women to work night shifts from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., provided transport and safety measures are ensured. While hailed by some as a step toward gender equality, critics stressed the need for strict implementation and monitoring.
A user on social media said: “The new Factories Amendment Bill is a step toward industrial reform, but workers’ rights and safety must remain paramount.”
Unions and Public Voice Strong Opposition
Trade unions condemned the move as exploitative. “This is a betrayal. The policy will turn workers into slaves,” a union leader told The Times of India. Critics online called the change regressive, saying it places corporate interests above worker welfare.
Another X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “Increasing factory work hours and overtime in Andhra Pradesh is a regressive move that prioritises ‘ease of doing business’ over workers’ rights and well-being.”
More Overtime, Longer Shifts Stir Concern
The amended law also raises the overtime cap to 144 hours per quarter and allows for 12-hour workdays under certain conditions. These provisions have further intensified concerns about worker fatigue, exploitation, and the erosion of long-standing labour safeguards.
