Odisha Assembly Approves Bill for Night Shifts and Extended Working Hours for Women

Key Changes in Working Conditions

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly has recently passed a significant Bill that allows women to work night shifts and increases the daily working hours from nine to ten.

The Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was approved despite a walkout by opposition parties, including the BJD and Congress.

Labour Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia emphasized that the Bill introduces essential reforms aimed at benefiting small businesses and workplaces.

He noted that establishments with up to 20 employees would be exempt from certain provisions of the 1956 Act, thereby easing the regulatory load on smaller enterprises.

Regarding the changes in working hours, Singhkhuntia explained that while the daily limit would rise to ten hours, the weekly cap would remain at 48 hours.

Additionally, the quarterly overtime limit would increase from 50 hours to 144 hours, allowing employees to work for six hours straight followed by a 30-minute break.

He stated, “The extended overtime limit is advantageous for those willing to earn more, as overtime pay is double the regular rate,” and mentioned that these changes align with recommendations from NITI Aayog and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

The Bill also lifts the prohibition on employing women during night shifts, provided they give written consent and the employer guarantees safety and welfare measures.

According to the minister, these amendments are expected to boost productivity, create more job opportunities for women, and enhance the ease of doing business in Odisha.

However, members of the BJD and Congress called for the Bill to be sent to a select committee for further examination.

BJD MLA Dhruba Charan Sahoo remarked, “India, including Odisha, is a welfare state, and the focus should be on worker welfare rather than solely on business interests.”

BJD member Sarada Prasad Jena expressed concerns that the proposed increase in working hours contradicts social norms.

He referenced various Puranas, stating that even Lord Vishnu rests for four months, suggesting that human working hours should be limited to eight.

Opposition legislators also voiced worries about allowing women to work night shifts, especially in light of increasing violence against women.

Sahoo highlighted a tragic incident at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, where a female doctor was raped and murdered during her night shift in August 2024.

In defense of the legislation, BJP member Irasish Acharya argued that it would enhance productivity and create opportunities for those willing to work hard.