Understanding Kerala's Work Hour Rules: Can Employers Set a 9-Hour Day with Breaks?

Dear Seniors,

In the Kerala Shops & Commercial Establishment Act 1960, Chapter II, Clause No. 9, the term "spread over" is mentioned. It is stated as: "Spread over: The period of work of an employee in an establishment shall be so fixed that, inclusive of his interval for rest, they shall not spread over more than ten and a half hours in any day."

Can anyone clarify for me whether an employer can set the daily working hours in an establishment as 9 hours with a half-hour interval and one weekly off according to this clause? Please do help.

Regards,
Remya

Legally, employees are not allowed to work for 9 hours straight. However, to accommodate a 5-day workweek, some companies engage in mutual agreements with their employees to work extended hours on certain days.

Thank you.

As per the laws I studied, total working hours should not exceed 48 hours a week. However, kindly let me know what can be done when working 9 hours for 6 days a week is practiced in a company. Please reply.

Legally, it is not possible to have 9 hours for 6 days a week. As long as no one questions it, it may continue. Employees can claim 6 hours of overtime every week.

Usually, companies have a half-day working on Saturday for this very reason. Anything that exceeds 48 hours can be claimed as overtime.