T.N. Factories (Amendment) Act passed in Assembly amidst protest by parties

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on April 21 passed the Factories (Amendment) Act 2023 providing flexible working hours for employees in factories across the State, amidst protests and claims by several parties that the Act would stretch the mandatory working hours to 12 hours from the present 8 hours duty.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on April 21 passed the Factories (Amendment) Act 2023 providing flexible working hours for employees in factories across the State, amidst protests and claims by several parties that the Act would stretch the mandatory working hours to 12 hours from the present 8 hours duty.

Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu, however, assured that the total working hours in a week would remain unchanged for the workers who would now have the option to work for four days in a week and avail three days leave. "This would immensely benefit women workers," he claimed.

"The remaining three days would be paid leave and the existing rules on leaves, overtime, salaries, etc., would remain unchanged," Labour Welfare Minister C. V. Ganesan said. Action would be taken against factories, which coerced their employees to work against their wishes, he clarified.

The Ministers' clarification on the T.N. Factories Act, 2023, follows protests and a walkout by the Left parties, the Congress and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) from the Assembly when the Bill was taken up for discussion on the concluding day of the Assembly session today.

The Bill was however passed by voice vote as the ruling DMK enjoyed a majority in the House and also because other allies like the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) supported the government.

Earlier, tabling the Bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Factories Act, 1948, the Labour and Welfare Minister said the State is the hub of major manufacturing companies and has the highest number of factories and industrial workers in the country.

"Representations were received from many industries and industry associations by the State government to bring out working hour reforms by making statutory provision for flexible working hours, citing the number of benefits it could bring for workers, especially women employees, industry and the economy as a whole," Mr. Ganesan said.