Maharashtra extends work week to 60 hours; will Karnataka follow?

Maharashtra has taken a controversial step by extending the weekly working hours from 48 to 60,  daeffectively requiring employees to work up to 12 hours ay. The state cabinet has approved an amendment to the Factories Act, with Labour Minister Akash Fundkar stating that the move will boost industrial output and offer workers “greater economic benefits” through additional earnings.

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The amendment also raises the maximum overtime limit from 115 to 144 hours. Workers will be entitled to two 30-minute breaks—one after five hours and another after six hours of continuous work. The revised rules are applicable to establishments with 20 or more employees, including factories, malls, shops, and other institutions. In some cases, the daily cap has been raised from nine to ten hours.

Strong reactions across the labour sector

The decision has sparked strong reactions across the labour sector, with critics warning of exploitation, fatigue, and health risks. Supporters, however, argue that the longer work hours will enhance production capacity and make Maharashtra more competitive.

The development comes just months after Karnataka withdrew its own proposal to extend daily working hours for IT employees to 12, following widespread protests from worker groups. With Maharashtra pushing through the reform, questions are now being raised about whether neighboring Karnataka—and possibly Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu—will revisit similar policies.

For now, Maharashtra’s bold move has reignited the national debate over productivity versus worker welfare.