Amidst recent concerns and misinterpretations surrounding working hours, the Punjab Government on Tuesday issued a comprehensive clarification seeking to address the confusion and ensure a clear understanding of the guidelines outlined in accordance with the Factories Act-1948.
The government’s official spokesperson shed light on the key aspects of the clarification. Pointing to the source of misunderstanding, the spokesperson highlighted that point number 1 of the issued letter emphasized a maximum of 12 hours of work during a working day. However, “this was misconstrued as 12 consecutive working hours, which is not the case”.
To clarify, the standard working hours, excluding rest intervals, remain fixed at eight hours per day, in line with the regulations stipulated in Section 51 of The Factories Act, 1948. This section mandates that no adult worker should exceed 48 hours of work in any week. If a worker surpasses this limit, Section 59 of the Factories Act, 1948, ensures the provision of overtime pay at twice their ordinary rate of wages.
Moreover, the spokesperson emphasized the adherence to labour laws, specifically addressing the issue of overtime. As per the Factories Act and Rules, no worker is permitted to work overtime for more than seven consecutive days. The total weekly work hours, inclusive of overtime, should not exceed 60. Additionally, in any quarter, the total overtime for any worker should not exceed 115 hours.
This clarification comes as a reassurance from the Punjab Government that the welfare of the workforce is a top priority. At the same time, the Government expressed its commitment to ongoing dialogue and cooperation with all stakeholders, fostering an environment that upholds the rights and well-being of the labor force.