According to the latest government statement says, southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu passed a bill that would have allowed a 12 hour of working day in factories after talks with unions oppose the plan, a government statement said on Monday. The Tamil Nadu government approved the bill last week, but it is yet to become law.
Several unions, including the All India Trade Union Congress and the Center of Indian Trade Unions, opposed the bill and planned a one day strike next month affecting workers from dozens of factories.
At the time Tamil nadu government claimed that those who worked 12 hours four days in a row would get three paid days off each week. However, several workers have expressed concerns about the proper implementation of this rule in factories.
Tamil Nadu passed Bill aims to attract large investments and increase job opportunities
“The government has approved a bill that aims to attract large investments and increase job opportunities for young people,” said M.K. Stalin, the chief minister of the state, on Monday.
A group of ministers told union representatives at Monday’s meeting that the state would not compromise on workers’ welfare and that extended working hours would only apply to certain types of factories approved by the government, the statement said.
The move was expected to boost industrial production in the state, which has attracted billions of dollars in investment from companies hoping to diversify their supply chains outside of China, including Apple suppliers Foxconn and Pegatron, as well as Nike shoemaker Pou Chen.
“The state government only shelved the bill but they have to withdraw the bill because there is a chance that they will bring it back. We will stick to our position,” said K. Bharathi, an activist of the Left Trade Union Centre.
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