Lucknow
The Uttar Pradesh government has enforced the Factories (Amendment) Act after receiving President Droupadi Murmu’s approval, paving the way for faster industrial growth, higher production, and more jobs, officials said on Tuesday.
Under the amended law, the state government can now extend the maximum daily working hours in factories to 12 hours, as long as the total weekly limit does not exceed 48 hours. Workers can also perform up to six hours of continuous duty without a break, provided they give written consent.
The amendment also allows the government to increase the quarterly overtime limit from 75 hours to 144 hours in case of exceptional workload. Employees working beyond the prescribed daily limit will receive double wages for overtime work.
A major change under the new Act is the inclusion of a provision that permits women employees to work night shifts, but only with their written consent and under strict safety and health measures.
According to Principal Secretary (Labour) Atul Srivastava, this reform will make Uttar Pradesh more attractive for industrial investment and help the state move closer to its target of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy.
The government said the updated law reflects its aim to modernise labour practices, support flexible work arrangements, and boost productivity while ensuring workers’ rights and safety remain protected under the new regulations.
