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Andhra Pradesh Approves Longer Work Hours: Daily Shifts May Extend to 10 Hours Amid Controversy

Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh – The Andhra Pradesh government has greenlit significant amendments to the state’s labor laws, paving the way for a potential increase in daily working hours from 9 to 10. The decision, approved by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s administration, affects private companies and factory employees across the state and has sparked immediate backlash from trade unions and labor rights activists.

Key Changes in Andhra Pradesh's Labor Laws

The amended labor law framework introduces several sweeping changes aimed at reshaping workplace norms:

• Extended Work Hours: The mandatory daily working hours will now rise from 9 to 10 for employees in private firms and manufacturing units.

• Overtime Cap Increased: The permissible overtime hours have been nearly doubled — from 75 hours to 144 hours per quarter.

• Flexible Night Shifts for Women: Women can now be assigned to night shifts, though this is subject to employer discretion. In exchange, companies are expected to provide an additional paid leave for those assigned such shifts.

• No Limit on Shift Overlaps: Restrictions on time gaps between consecutive shifts have been lifted. Factory management now has full authority to define overlapping schedules.

Unions Fear 12-Hour Workdays

While the law currently sets the new daily work limit at 10 hours, labor unions fear the practical implications could be worse. With the new flexibility allowed to factory managers, there is growing concern that workers might be forced to stretch their shifts to 12 hours — especially if 2 hours of extended work is mandated beyond the stated 10 hours.

Previously, the Andhra Pradesh Factories Act limited working hours for adult laborers to 9 hours per day, including a mandatory 30-minute break after every 5 hours of work. The new changes risk diluting these protections, say labor advocates.

Health and Welfare at Risk, Say Critics

Unions and activists warn that extended workdays may take a toll on employees' health, well-being, and family life. Fatigue, reduced productivity, mental stress, and physical exhaustion are some of the concerns raised.

In a public statement, V. Srinivas Rao, State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), criticized the move and accused the state government of acting under the influence of the central administration and corporate lobbies. He demanded immediate withdrawal of the amendments and warned of statewide protests if the government fails to act.

Rising Tensions and Calls for Protest

Several trade unions have united to oppose the government’s labor reforms. Leftist parties and labor groups argue that the new policies favor large industrialists at the expense of workers' rights. The move, they claim, undermines decades of labor protections in the name of economic growth.

According to a News18 report, union leaders are preparing for large-scale demonstrations if the law is not repealed. They’ve issued a warning to the state government, indicating that any attempt to implement these rules forcibly will be met with mass resistance.

Why Is the Government Making These Changes?

The Andhra Pradesh government has not publicly detailed its rationale beyond streamlining labor laws and aligning them with the “ease of doing business” goals. Sources suggest that the move is intended to attract investment and boost industrial output by offering companies more flexible labor regulations.

Conclusion

The labor law overhaul in Andhra Pradesh marks a major policy shift, but it has also ignited a fierce debate over workers' rights and employer powers. While the state argues the reforms will modernize labor practices and attract private investment, critics see it as a step backward for worker welfare. With protests looming, the coming weeks could witness significant political and social friction over how long a day’s work should really be.