Despite objections, Minister Rajput assured that labor unions were consulted and that the amendment is temporary. If violations occur or workers face injustice, the government can withdraw the provisions
Gandhinagar
The Gujarat Assembly passed a bill extending daily industrial work hours from nine to twelve hours, supported by BJP MLAs and opposed by Congress and AAP members. The Factories (Gujarat Amendment) Bill, 2025, updates the Factories Act of 1948 and permits women to work night shifts between 7 pm and 6 am, provided proper safety measures are in place.
The bill, replacing an ordinance issued in July, was approved through a majority voice vote despite opposition claims that it could exploit workers. Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, who introduced the bill, stated that the move is intended to boost industrial growth, attract investment, and create more job opportunities. He emphasized that weekly working hours would remain capped at 48 hours, meaning workers who work 12 hours a day for four days would get the remaining three days off as paid leave.
Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani criticized the amendment, calling it exploitative and harmful to workers’ health, arguing that it forces laborers to work excessively long hours and deprives them of adequate rest. He also questioned whether poor workers could genuinely refuse extended hours without risking dismissal. AAP legislator Gopal Italia echoed these concerns, claiming the bill favors factory owners rather than employees and lacks sufficient job security guarantees.
The bill passed through a majority voice vote, while the Congress and AAP opposed it. Later, the Assembly also unanimously passed the Gujarat Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill and the Gujarat Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) (Second Amendment) Bill, making minor updates to existing laws.
