Telangana approves 10-hour workday for commercial establishments with weekly cap of 48 hours

In a significant move aimed at promoting industrial flexibility and business-friendly reforms, the Telangana government has approved a proposal allowing employees in commercial establishments, excluding retail shops, to work up to 10 hours per day, subject to a maximum of 48 hours per week.

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This decision, passed by the Labour, Employment, Training & Factories Department on July 5, comes under the provisions of the Telangana Shops and Establishments Act, 1988, and is intended to give businesses more flexibility in managing work schedules while maintaining labour welfare standards. The official notification will be published in the Telangana Gazette on July 8.

Under this revised policy, all commercial establishments (except shops) can now schedule daily work shifts of up to 10 hours, provided the total weekly working time does not exceed 48 hours. If employees work beyond this limit, they are entitled to overtime wages as per existing labour laws.

Importantly, the government has laid down specific safeguards for employee welfare. Workers clocking more than 6 hours a day must be given a minimum break of 30 minutes, and under no circumstances should the total duration of work plus breaks exceed 12 hours in a single day.

Additionally, while businesses are allowed to engage employees beyond the weekly 48-hour limit on an overtime basis, this extended work time must not surpass 144 hours in a three-month period. Any violation of these rules will lead to cancellation of the exemption provided under the Act.