Labour laws' fairness challenge

Just having a 12-hour workday does not necessarily constitute exploitation. If implemented properly and without causing harm to workers, it could create a win-win situation

Any change in labour laws typically leads to heated debates, and the recent move by a few states to allow 12-hour workdays is no exception. In February, Karnataka made a few tweaks to its labour laws — allowing 12-hour workdays, an increase in overtime from 75 hours to 145 hours in three months, and finally allowing women to work in the night shift. These changes, however, remain subject to a cap of 48 hours of work in a week.

Then in April, Tamil Nadu made similar amendments, though it withdrew the changes on Monday after sustained criticism from Opposition parties and