Employees will have an option to work for four days a week in the country soon. Union Labour secretary Apurva Chandra on Monday announced that the proposal would be included in the new labour laws.
Under the new rule, four working days a week will be allowed to run for a total of not more than 48 hours. It’s going to be of three types. Four working days in a week can be enforced with a 12-hour limit, five working days can be enforced with a 10-hour limit, and six working days can be enforced with an 8-hour limit.
Currently, most companies in the country have five working days in the place. The four working days can be changed if this law comes into force. However, Apurva Chandra said the change was not mandatory and could be implemented at the whim of employers and workers.
Apurva Chandra said that companies can’t increase the workings hours beyond the mandated 48-hour limit for the week. Companies enabling four-day workweek will have to provide three days of consecutive holidays after that, said Chandra. However, companies and employees must agree to the four-day week schedule.
Centre also proposes to provide free medical check-ups to workers through the Employees State Insurance Corporation. However, the drafting of the bill is not yet completed. Full details will be announced soon.