"Illegal to increase factory work hours from 8 to 12 — parliamentary panel to labour ministry", 20 July 2020

The parliamentary committee on labour...termed the decision of state governments like Punjab and Madhya Pradesh to increase working hours in factories from 8 to 12 as “illegal” and said it can’t be accepted, ThePrint has learnt.     

The panel, headed by BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, met physically— the first time since the Covid-19 lockdown — to discuss changes in labour laws announced by several state governments during the lockdown and the issues faced by migrant labour force during the pandemic. The meeting was attended by just 11 of the 28 members.

One of the MPs, who attended the meeting, told ThePrint that Mahtab told the labour secretary that if some states have increased the working hours from 8 to 12, it is illegal and the Centre should not allow it...

Since the lockdown was enforced on 25 March, states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan increased the daily working hours in manufacturing units from 8 to 12. The move had drawn the ire of trade unions. 

UP, however, was forced to withdraw the order after it was issued a notice by Allahabad High Court. 

Labour issues are part of the concurrent list and so states can frame their own law. But they require the President’s assent to amend the central law.