Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Haryana Passes Two Key Bills
The Haryana government has made two big changes.
First, they passed a bill that lets workers in shops and businesses work 10 hours a day instead of 9, but the total work in a week stays at 48 hours.
They can also work more overtime, up to 156 hours every three months.
Smaller businesses with fewer than 20 workers don't need to register anymore.
Some people, like Congress MLA Aditya Surjewala, think this is too much work for employees and called it 'modern-day slavery'.
But the Labour Minister, Anil Vij, says it will help businesses and create more jobs.
Second, they passed another bill that gives the government special powers to take control of private universities if there are serious problems, like threats to national security or anti-national activities.
This bill amends the Haryana Private Universities Act, 2006.
Haryana Assembly passed a bill increasing daily work hours from 9 to 10 while keeping the weekly limit at 48 hours.
Overtime limit increased from 50 hours to 156 hours per quarter.
Continuous work without rest increased from 5 to 6 hours.
Businesses with fewer than 20 workers no longer need to register.
Congress MLA Aditya Surjewala opposed the labour bill, calling it 'modern-day slavery', but it was passed by voice vote.
- Who
- Haryana Assembly, Labour Minister Anil Vij, Congress MLA Aditya Surjewala
- What
- Passed the Haryana Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- When
- Monday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Haryana, India
- Why
- To increase daily working hours, overtime ceiling, reduce compliance burden on smaller establishments, and streamline procedures for dissolving management bodies of private universities in specific circumstances
Government and Supporters
Opposition and Critics
Labour Reforms
Government and Supporters
The changes will help businesses grow, handle busy times better, and create more jobs.
Opposition and Critics
The reforms are exploitative and akin to 'modern-day slavery', increasing the workload on employees.
Private Universities Amendment
Government and Supporters
The bill ensures the government can take action in cases of national security threats or anti-national activities.
Opposition and Critics
The bill could be used to suppress academic freedom and target specific institutions.
- Daily Work Hours
- 10 hours (previously 9)
- Weekly Work Limit
- 48 hours
- Overtime Limit
- 156 hours per quarter (previously 50)
- Continuous Work Limit
- 6 hours (previously 5)
- Registration Threshold
- 20 or more employees (previously 0)
- Bill Passed
- Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Special Powers
- Government can dissolve management and appoint administrator in specific circumstances
- Circumstances for Action
- National security, sovereignty, integrity, public security, law and order, anti-national activities
Sources
Haryana passes Shops Act amendment increasing daily work hours, overtime ceiling
Are You A Shop Employee In Haryana? Get Ready To Work 10 Hours A Day
Haryana Assembly passes Private Universities Amendment Bill amid security concerns
Haryana assembly passes bill to increase working time to 10 hours for shop employees
