Shift Scheduling Dilemma: Can Security Staff Legally Work 12-Hour Shifts Under the Factories Act?

Our factory runs in all three shifts in a day, each shift is of 8 hours. We have engaged security services who work in shifts, which are of 12 hours. We are paying them minimum wages under the Act, i.e., for 8 + 4 hours.

Query: As we are covered under the Factories Act, are they to be employed for 8 hours, or can they work for 12 hours?

Basic working hours are 8 hours only, whether under the Factories Act or State Shops and Establishment acts. Any extra hours would have to be on overtime (OT), subject to the maximum hours of OT permissible under State laws. Making a guard work for 12 hours daily will reduce the security value as the person will be fatigued. We should avoid such extra working hours as a matter of routine.