Odisha ups overtime limit for factory workers to 115 hrs a quarter from 75

Earlier, several state governments have made similar amendments to their labour laws and increased the work hours

The Odisha Cabinet on Friday approved as many as 22 proposals including amending the Factories Act, 1948, and allowing the workers to work 115 hours overtime in three months by enhancing the time limit.

"The overtime limit is increased from 75 hours to 115 hours per quarter, and now the engagement of women workers will be allowed, with consent, between 7 pm to 6 am in factories with the condition that adequate safety, welfare and security measures and safeguards are taken by the concerned factories as prescribed," read an official statement issued by the Odisha government.

"Reduction has also been made in