Andhra Pradesh Increases Daily Working Hours to 10; Workers and Trade Unions Raise Strong Objections
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The Andhra Pradesh government has recently changed the rule on daily working hours. Earlier, employees in private companies and factories could work for a maximum of 9 hours a day. But now, the government has increased this limit to 10 hours per day. This move has received strong criticism from workers, trade unions, and many users on social media.
What Does the New Rule Say?
The decision has been taken by the TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh. The state’s Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister, K Parthasarathy, announced that labour laws will be amended to make them more “favourable” for both workers and investors.
The government claims this change will encourage more investment in the state, especially from industrial sectors and factory owners. The Minister said, “These labour rules will be favourable for labourers, and they will come to invest more. Globalisation is happening in every state. These amendments were brought to implement global rules.”
Why Are People Upset?
Despite the government saying it will benefit workers, many employees and social media users have strongly opposed this decision. According to them, increasing working hours helps only business owners, not workers.
Here’s what people are saying:
- A user wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“Good for financial growth. What about mental health? 10 hrs work, 2 hrs travel, 8 hrs sleep — what can you do in the remaining 4 hours?” - Another user shared:
“So the Andhra Pradesh govt thinks longer hours = better productivity? No, it means exploitation. More hours, same pay, worse lives. Workers deserve dignity, not burnout.”
Concerns About Work-Life Balance
Many people are worried that this move will badly affect their work-life balance. If people have to work 10 hours every day, plus spend time traveling to and from work, there is very little time left for personal life, family, rest, or hobbies.
Some also mentioned that this could lead to health problems and increase stress levels. One user even said that Andhra Pradesh’s falling fertility rate might get worse because people will not have enough time or energy to raise children.
Trade Unions Strongly Oppose the Decision
The decision has also faced criticism from trade unions and political leaders. K Ramakrishna, the State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), said that the government is not working in the interest of workers. He accused the Central and State governments of making policies that reduce the rights and benefits of labourers.
He also pointed out that the Modi government, over the past 11 years, has repeatedly made changes to labour laws that hurt workers’ welfare.
Questions About Salary and Fairness
Many workers are also asking — will their salary increase with the longer working hours? As of now, there is no official announcement about a raise in pay. This has led to further anger, as people feel they are being asked to work more without any additional benefit.
Night Shift Rules for Women Also Changed
Another part of the announcement was about night shift jobs for women. Earlier, women were not allowed to work during night shifts in many industries in Andhra Pradesh. But now, the cabinet has relaxed these rules.
According to Minister K Parthasarathy, women will be allowed to work at night, but only with certain safety measures, such as:
- Written consent from the employee
- Transport facility provided by the employer
- Proper security arrangements
- Use of CCTV cameras and surveillance for safety
This change is aimed at improving employment opportunities for women, especially in sectors like IT, manufacturing, and customer support services.
Conclusion
The Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to increase daily working hours from 9 to 10 has triggered a strong reaction. While the government says it will attract investment and bring jobs, workers, trade unions, and the public believe it will lead to exploitation, stress, and poor quality of life.
As this debate continues, many are now watching to see whether the government will respond to the criticism or make any changes to the proposed labour law amendments.
