Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji

Panaji, Jul 25: In a significant move aimed at promoting industrial flexibility, the Goa legislative assembly passed the Factories (Goa Amendment) Bill on Thursday night, paving the way to increase the maximum daily work hours in factories from 9 to 10.

The amendment seeks changes to Section 54 of the Central Factories Act as applicable to Goa, raising the permissible limit of daily work hours for adult workers. The bill also proposes a revision to Section 65, increasing the maximum allowable overtime from 125 to 144 hours per quarter.

Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, addressing the House, stated that the reforms were introduced to support the 'Ease of Doing Business' initiative by simplifying regulatory procedures and providing operational flexibility for factories in the state.

“The proposed changes are intended to keep pace with evolving industrial requirements and enhance factory productivity while ensuring adherence to statutory safety norms,” reads the statement of objects and reasons attached to the bill.

The bill, however, does not involve any financial burden on the state exchequer. CM Sawant clarified that the bill would now be forwarded to the President of India for assent before being implemented as law.