Cabinet approves changes in three labour laws

• Cabinet approves changes in three labour laws

According to news reports, the Cabinet approved changes in three labour laws on July 30, 2014. 5 These laws are: (a) the Factories Act, 1948, (b) the Apprentices Act, 1961, and (c) the Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Act, 1988.
Key proposed amendments include:

 Factories Act, 1948: Key amendments relate to: (a) increasing the overtime limit for workers, (b) improving safety of workers, (c) relaxing norms for women to work night shifts in certain industries, and (d) reducing the number of days that an

employee must work before becoming eligible for benefits such as leave without pay from 240 days to 90 days.

•   Apprentices Act, 1961: The Act regulates the training of apprentices. Key amendments relate to: (a) including new trades under the purview of the Act, and (b) removing the clause that called for the imprisonment of employers who did not adhere to provisions of the Act.
•   Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Act, 1988: Currently firms with up to 19 employees are covered under the Act. These firms can file a combined compliance report for up to 9 labour laws. Key amendments relate to: (a) exempting firms employing up to 40 workers from complying with certain labour regulations, and (b) allowing these firms to file a combined compliance report for up to 16 labour laws. 
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