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New Delhi: Huge curiosity has been triggered after the Ministry of Labour and Employment clarified the rules under the new Labour Codes. Explaining the new norms under the Codes, the Ministry said that there are provisions to provide flexibility in working hours.
Many workers are wondering even if they work for four days a week, will they get paid for a full week? The answer to this is perhaps, yes. However, there are clear rules set by the new Labour Codes.
In a post on X, the Ministry said the new Labour Codes permit flexibility in the way weekly working hours are structured. This means a four-day work week is possible, but total working hours are not reduced. Weekly hours remain fixed at 48, and rules on pay and overtime do not change.
The Ministry said, “The Labour Codes allow flexibility of 12 hours for 4 workdays only, with the remaining 3 days as paid holidays.” Weekly work hours remain fixed at 48, and overtime beyond daily hours must be paid at double the wage rate.
This means an employee can work 12 hours every day for four days and get three days off which will be paid. But total work in a week cannot go beyond 48 hours. Any extra hours in a day will be considered as overtime and must be paid double the usual rate.
As per the Ministry, the 12-hour workday will include breaks and spread-out working hours, during which employees will be permitted to take breaks, for example for lunch breaks, rest time, gaps between shifts, depending on the type of job.
The new rules underline that the total weekly hours must not exceed 48 working hours. This allows flexibility and fairness in compensation. The remaining three days would be deemed to be three paid days off.
The rules are aimed at giving companies and workers greater flexibility in planning work schedules, while ensuring protection against hectic, excessively long and unpaid working hours.
The answer is no. The Labour Codes do not mandate a four-day work week. In other words, it is not binding or compulsory. The companies have been given an option that employers and employees can explore and mutually decide on. Some offices may adhere to five or six working days, while others may go for four longer days.
Whether to opt for 4-day work week will be determined by various factors, including the company policies, state-level rules, and the kind of work involved. It is to be noted that a 12-hour workday model cannot be applicable for every job, essentially in sectors that requires staffing round the clock.
