The Gujarat Assembly on Wednesday passed the Factories (Gujarat Amendment) Bill 2025, despite loud protests from opposition parties who labelled the legislation as anti-worker and damaging to labour rights. The state government, however, defended the changes as measures aimed at driving industrial growth, creating employment, and empowering women to participate more fully in the workforce.&nbsp;
Labour and Employment Minister Balwantsinh Rajput introduced the bill, which makes significant changes to working hours and permits women to work night shifts with their consent.&nbsp;
As the House debated, members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and other opposition voices strongly objected to provisions allowing 12-hour workdays. Several MLAs accused the government of neglecting labour welfare in favour of industry.&nbsp;
Provisions of the New Law&nbsp;
According to the amendment, women employees can voluntarily take up night shifts, but employers must secure official permission from the state, which retains the right to revoke approval at any time. Daily shifts may extend to 12 hours, though weekly working time cannot exceed 48 hours.&nbsp;
Workers are entitled to a mandatory 30-minute break after six continuous hours of duty. Those completing four consecutive 12-hour shifts will be granted two days of paid leave.&nbsp;
The bill also places a ceiling on overtime, limiting it to 125 hours in three months, and requires prior approval for such work. Rajput emphasised that these rules balanced industrial needs with labour protection.
&ldquo;The Factories Act is a central law, and with the President&rsquo;s consent, state governments can make necessary amendments to suit local conditions. The bill empowers Gujarat to regulate daily work hours and overtime, including allowing women to work at night under safe conditions,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
Rajput added that the wider objective was to create a more attractive climate for investors through skilled labour, land availability, infrastructure, and minimal legal barriers. &ldquo;Our country and Gujarat have been witnessing significant industrial growth in recent years, with new technologies and investments contributing to both state and national development,&rdquo; he told legislators.&nbsp;
Women&rsquo;s Role in the Workforce and Development&nbsp;
Much of the debate focused on women&rsquo;s participation in industry. Rajput argued that giving women the option of night shifts would align with their constitutional right to equality, freedom of profession, and the right to earn. He said the amendment would allow women to manage family commitments during the day while also contributing to household income.
&ldquo;This amendment ensures women workers can legally work night shifts in a safe environment. It also provides opportunities for skilled women to earn an income, contribute to their families, and actively participate in the state&rsquo;s economic growth,&rdquo; the minister said.&nbsp;
Fierce Opposition in the Assembly&nbsp;
Despite the government&rsquo;s assurances, opposition MLAs sharply criticised the legislation. Speaking to Benefit News, AAP MLA Gopal Italia said: &ldquo;Today in the Assembly, we opposed the anti-worker Factory Act Amendment Bill. The amendment proposed making workers work 12 hours a day. I strongly opposed it. Officials themselves cannot sit in the Assembly for two hours, yet they expect workers to work 12 hours. If Gujarat&rsquo;s development requires workers to work 12 hours, then government employees should also be made to work 12 hours. I asked the government who actually proposed that workers should work 12 hours. In reality, no one has made such a demand.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Botad MLA Umesh Makwana staged his protest by tearing the bill inside the House. &ldquo;Today, the minister introduced the Factories (Amendment) Bill in the Assembly, and I strongly opposed the bill. I even tore the bill in front of the minister in opposition. What was the urgency to bring such a bill in Gujarat? We need to understand that these labourers working in Gujarat belong to SC/ST, OBC, Dalit and EWS sections. This bill is against them. If women labourers are going to work for 12 hours, how will they manage their household and their children? I oppose this bill in the strongest terms,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani accused the government of siding with industrialists at the expense of workers. &ldquo;Across Gujarat, implementation of minimum wage is not present in private institutions and even in governmental organisations. No minimum wage, no PF, no salary slips given to the workers working in government offices and circuit houses. In order to appease wealthy individuals and institutions, the Government has brought such a bill where working hours of labourers are going to be increased from eight hours to 12 hours; in reality, it should be till six hours only,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
Mevani also expressed concern over women&rsquo;s safety. &ldquo;There is also a provision that women will be allowed on night shifts. But we have seen cases where women&rsquo;s safety is not ensured in factories. Women are facing sexual assault, harassment and some rape cases. The government should ensure women&rsquo;s safety. They should be serious about this. Rather, they are failing to do so,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
He added that in Europe, workers clock just six hours a day from Monday to Friday. &ldquo;Why did we bring this bill? It is beyond anyone&rsquo;s imagination. I urge the government to take this bill back because it is against their rights and the constitution,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
When asked whether labourers&rsquo; mental health had been considered, Rajput responded: &ldquo;We have taken care of that as well. We brought this bill after consultations and in view that other foreign countries do have such acts.&rdquo;&nbsp;
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Opposition slams Gujarat bill extending work hours and permitting night shifts for women

Gujarat Assembly Clears Factory Bill Amid Protests

Opposition slams Gujarat bill extending work hours and permitting night shifts for women

September 10, 2025 | 17:29 IST