No 12-hour work shift: AITUC

A proposal in the Goa government's draft investment policy, released by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar last week, to increase work shifts to 12 hours, has attracted objection from the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).

Parrikar Monday promised to look into the matter, if a formal objection was filed by the AITUC with the state government.

Speaking to reporters Monday, AITUC general secretary Christopher Fonseca said 12-hour shifts were not only inhuman, but also impractical.

"Does the chief minister want workers to be slaves? Tell me something -- is 12-hour work at eight-hour pay justified," Fonseca asked.

The draft investment policy, envisioning Rs.25,000 crore worth of new investment, recommends two major changes -- empowering women to work night shifts, as well as the 12-hour work shift, subject to maximum working hours per week.

"In order to empower women, change in regulations to allow female employees to work in shifts subject to transport being arranged by the industrial unit for female employees working after 8 p.m.," the draft policy says.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in the capital, Parrikar said the objections raised by the AITUC would be considered.

"This is a draft policy. It is not final. If they can write about the objections to us, we will look into it," Parrikar said.