Archive · 6 Dec 2025
India's 12-hour workday sparks debate
India has new rules that let workers do four 12-hour shifts in a week instead of the usual six 8-hour days.
Some bosses think this will help India grow by making workers put in more hours.
But others say this is not fair and won't really help.
They point out that India's business leaders are more interested in quick money than in making new things or improving factories.
Plus, many workers already work more than they should, and the new rules might not make things better for them.
Some people also worry that these changes won't stop bosses from treating workers badly or paying them fairly.
India's new labor laws allow for four 12-hour shifts or six 8-hour days in a week, maintaining a 48-hour workweek limit.
Several Indian states have implemented similar changes to attract investments and boost manufacturing.
Critics argue that restrictive labor laws are not the reason for India's declining manufacturing sector, which fell from 18% of GDP in 1995 to 12.5% in 2020.
Indian business elites, primarily in the financial sector, are accused of focusing on short-term gains rather than investing in innovation and new technologies.
The new labor code includes provisions for protecting migrant workers, gig workers, and ensuring better working conditions for women.
- Who
- Indian government, corporate bosses, and labor researchers
- What
- Debate over new labor laws allowing 12-hour workdays
- When
- Recently implemented
- Where
- India, particularly in states with large factories
- Why
- To attract investments and boost manufacturing, but critics argue it exploits labor
- Workweek Limit
- 48 hours
- New Shift Options
- Four 12-hour shifts or six 8-hour days
- Manufacturing GDP Share
- 12.5% (2020), down from 18% in 1995
- Average Annual Wage
- Less than 150,000 rupees ($1,700) for unincorporated establishments
- Single-Person Manufacturing Units
- 79% in cities, 94% in rural areas
- States with New Labor Laws
- Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
- US Tariffs on Indian Exports
- Up to 50%
