CHENNAI: The contentious Factories Amendment Bill that had extended their working hours from 8 to 12, was withdrawn on Monday by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin as a May Day gift to the workers.
The Bill had been put on hold by the Chief Minister due to strong opposition from his allies. Despite substantial opposition from even the DMK's partners, the bill was approved by the state Assembly on April 21.
The Amendment Bill gives the state government the authority to exclude any factory, group of factories, or class of factories from any or all of the provisions of Sections 51, 52, 54, 55, or 59 of the Factories Act of 1948 or any rules enacted since that time.
The measure was opposed by political parties such the CPI(M), CPI, MDMK, VCK, BJP, PMK, and AIADMK when it was introduced in the House on April 21. The Congress, a party to the DMK government, staged a walkout in opposition.
The Joint Committee of Trade Unions, which includes the Labour Progressive Front of the ruling party, CITU, had severely protested the Tamil Nadu government regarding the Factories Amendment Bill.
On April 25, the alliance members met with the Chief Minister and demanded that the bill be repealed. The Stalin government was also harshly criticised by the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) for increasing the working hours from 8 to 12 hours.
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