18 May 2012
Working hours - A worker cannot be employed for more than 48 hours in a week. [section 51]. Weekly holiday is compulsory. If he is asked to work on weekly holiday, he should have full holiday on one of three days immediately or after the normal day of holiday. [section 52(1)]. He cannot be employed for more than 9 hours in a day. [section 54]. At least half an hour rest should be provided after 5 hours. [section 55]. Total period of work inclusive of rest interval cannot be more than 10.5 hours. [section 56]. A worker should be given a weekly holiday. Overlapping of shifts is not permitted. [section 58]. Notice of period of work should be displayed. [section 61].
Employment of women - A woman worker cannot be employed beyond the hours 6 a.m. to 7.00 pm. State Government can grant exemption to any factory or group or class of factories, but no woman can be permitted to work during 10 PM to 5 AM. Shift change can be only after weekly or other holiday and not in between. [section 66].
Record of workmen - A register (muster roll) of all workers should be maintained. No worker should be permitted to work unless his name is in the register. Record of overtime is also required to be maintained. [section 62].
Also noted:
Child employment - Child below age of 14 cannot be employed. [section 67]. Child above 14 but below 15 years of age can be employed only for 4.5 hours per day or during the night. [section 71]. He should be certified fit by a certifying surgeon. [section 68]. He cannot be employed during night between 10 pm to 6 am. [section 71]. A person over 15 but below 18 years of age is termed as ‘adolescent’. He can be employed as an adult if he has a certificate of fitness for a full day's work from certifying surgeon. An adolescent is not permitted to work between 7 pm and 6 am. [section 70]. There are more restrictions on employment of female adolescent. - - Register of child workers should be maintained. [section 73].
Display on notice board - A notice containing abstract of the Factories Act and the rules made thereunder, in English and local language should be displayed. Name and address of Factories Inspector and the certifying surgeon should also be displayed on notice board. [section 108(1)].
18 May 2012
Thanks a lot. That was really helpful. By the by, i have posted some other queries as well. If possible, could you please reply for that also.