Indian government to make four-day working week a possibility for 1.3 billion people

Under the new proposal, the employees would have to adjust to 12-hour shifts

File image: Migrant labourers work at a construction site for laying new electricity cables in Mumbai on January 7, 2021. (Getty Images)

The Indian government is considering finalising the rules for a new set of labour codes that could provide companies with the flexibility of reducing the total number of working days in a week to four. However, it would mean that employees will have to work 12 hours in a shift, instead of the standard nine.

Apurva Chandra, India's Labour and Employment Secretary, told news outlets that many organisations were interested in providing a four-day work week for employees.

"...It is possible that an employer may provide for a five-day working week and I have come across employers who say that we want even a 4-day working week. We have tried to bring in some flexibility into the workdays," he was quoted as saying during a press conference.

The 48 hours-per-week limit, however, shall remain. “It is sacrosanct,” maintained Mr Chandra. 

The government clarified that companies may have the option to choose a four-day week but employees will have to adjust to 12-hour-long shifts. Mr Chandra added that an organisation opting for a four-day work week will have to provide employees with three days of consecutive holidays.

Under the new rules, the government has also proposed free medical check-ups for workers through the Employees State Insurance Corporation, a social security and health insurance scheme for workers.

“Rule-making process is already underway and likely to complete in the coming week," said the ministry in its official press release.

The ministry also announced that it would launch a portal for unorganised labour sector which would collect relevant information on building and construction workers and help to formulate health, housing, skill, insurance, credit and food schemes for migrant workers. The website is expected to be launched by May or June this year.