Seeking Clarity on Factory Act Rules: Weekly Offs and OT Snack Breaks Explained

Hi,

Can anyone clarify for me regarding the following points:

1. Is there any rule as per the Factory Act that the intervening of weekly offs/public holidays will not be treated as EL?

2. As per the Factory Act, is there any rule that at OT snacks break should be 30 minutes? Presently, we are giving a 15-minute break in OT to have snacks.

Kindly help me clarify the above points as we are going for settlement with the Union.

Regards,
Sreedevi P

Dear Sreedevi, 1. As per Sub-section (1) of Section 79 of the Factories Act, 1948, holidays occurring during or at the end of the period of Earned Leave (Leave with Wages) shall be excluded from the Earned Leave. 2. As per Section 55 of the Factories Act, 1948, a worker shall not be required or allowed to work for more than 5 hours before he/she has had an interval for rest of at least half an hour. However, the State Government/Chief Inspector of Factories may, by written order and for the reasons specified therein, exempt any factory from the above provision subject to the condition that the worker shall not work beyond 6 hours without a rest interval.

Regards, K.A.Thariq Muhamed Salim