Telangana Approves 10-Hour Workdays for Commercial Establishments Under Ease of Doing Business Push
Telangana allows commercial establishments to extend daily work hours to 10 under EoDB reforms, with a 48-hour weekly cap and strict compliance rules.
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In a bid to boost business efficiency, the Telangana government has officially allowed commercial establishments (excluding shops) to extend daily working hours from eight to ten, while keeping the weekly cap at 48 hours.
The move, implemented under Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) reforms, aligns Telangana with similar policy changes in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka is also considering similar measures.
The revised rules, issued by Labour Secretary M Dana Kishore, permit employees to work up to 10 hours a day voluntarily, with a mandatory 30-minute rest interval after six hours. Employers can request overtime work beyond 48 hours a week, but this is limited to 144 hours per quarter, and must be compensated accordingly.
These changes are made under Section 73(4) of the Telangana Shops and Establishments Act, 1988, which exempts commercial establishments (excluding shops) from Sections 16 and 17 of the Act.
However, the government has warned that exemptions may be revoked without prior notice if the stipulated conditions are violated.
Key Guidelines:
- Daily work hours: Max 10 hours
- Weekly limit: 48 hours
- Overtime: Allowed with pay, capped at 144 hours per quarter
- Rest break: At least 30 minutes after six hours
- Total span (including break): Must not exceed 12 hours per day
- Revocation clause: Exemptions can be withdrawn anytime for non-compliance
This policy shift is expected to provide more flexibility for businesses while maintaining safeguards for workers' rights.
