Factories Bill amendment to increase overtime hours gets cabinet approval

The cabinet on Wednesday approved the amendments related to increase in overtime hours from the existing 50 hours per quarter to 100 hours (Section 64) and existing 75 hours per quarter to 125 hours (Section 65).

This was on a day the Lok Sabha passed The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016, that seeks to enhance the working overtime hours.

The Union Cabinet was chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and give its ex-post facto approval for amendment of Section 64 and section 65 and consequential amendment of section 115 of the Factories Act, 1948 by introducing the Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the Parliament.

The approved amendments will give boost to the manufacturing sector and facilitate ease of doing business with an aim to enhance employment opportunities, said the Cabinet in a statement. 

The new bill will give a boost to "job creation in manufacturing sector", the Labour Ministry said adding this can also facilitate ease of doing business. 

(With inputs from IANS)