Telangana notifies 10-hour daily work rule in commercial establishments

Hyderabad: In a significant move to improve Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), the Telangana government has permitted an increase in daily work hours at commercial establishments (excluding shops) from eight to 10 hours, while retaining the weekly work hour cap at 48.

Aligns with neighbouring states

This decision aligns Telangana with Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which have already implemented similar measures. Karnataka is also considering a 10-hour daily limit for private sector employees.

Overtime rules and exemptions

According to the order issued by Labour, Employment, Training and Factories Principal Secretary M Dana Kishore on Saturday, employees may work beyond the 48-hour weekly limit on overtime pay, subject to a cap of 144 overtime hours per quarter.

The government retains the power to revoke these exemptions without prior notice if conditions are violated.

Mandatory breaks and work conditions

Key conditions under the order include:

No employee may work more than six hours without a break of at least 30 minutes.

Daily work hours, including breaks, shall not exceed 12 hours.

Employees can choose to work up to 10 hours a day within the weekly limit.

Legal provision

The exemption was granted under Section 73(4) of the Telangana Shops and Establishments Act, 1988, overriding Sections 16 and 17 to permit this change for all commercial establishments other than shops.

“This order follows the Government of India’s Ease of Doing Business guidelines. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have already done this,” Kishore said.