Mr. Madhu's post explains candidly. It may be appropriate to have one tea break during a day shift (A shift). However, it is advisable to have two tea breaks at convenient intervals during the 2nd shift (B shift) and 3rd shift (C shift) for obvious reasons. Some factories provide dinner and breakfast during the 2nd & 3rd shifts; therefore, finalizing these aspects with union/shop floor committees would be prudent. Relevant provisions of the Factories Act, 1948 & The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 should be considered before making a decision (to be read with pertinent Rules made under these acts).
Intervals for rest
"55. Intervals for rest: (1) The periods of work of adult workers in a factory each day shall be fixed so that no period exceeds five hours and no worker works for more than five hours before having an interval for rest of at least half an hour. (2) The State Government or, subject to the control of the State Government, the Chief Inspector, may exempt any factory from the provisions of sub-section (1) by written order, ensuring the total number of hours worked by a worker without an interval does not exceed six."
The Industrial Relations Code, 2020
THE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS CODE, 2020 NO. 35 OF 2020 [28th September, 2020.] CHAPTER V NOTICE OF CHANGE 40. No employer proposing to effect any change in the conditions of service applicable to any worker in respect of any matter specified in the Third Schedule shall effect such change without giving notice to the affected workers as prescribed, or within twenty-one days of providing such notice. However, no notice is required when the change occurs due to a settlement or award. 101. (1) The Central Government may amend the First Schedule, Second Schedule, or Third Schedule by notification, and the relevant schedule shall be deemed amended accordingly.
The Third Schedule
THE THIRD SCHEDULE [See sections 40 and 101 (1)] CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR CHANGE OF WHICH NOTICE IS TO BE GIVEN 1. Wages, including the period and mode of payment. 2. Contribution paid or payable by the employer to any provident fund or pension fund or for the benefit of the workers under any current law. 3. Compensatory and other allowances. 4. Hours of work and rest intervals. 5. Leave with wages and holidays. 6. Starting, alteration, or discontinuance of shift working not in line with standing orders. 7. Classification by grades. 8. Withdrawal of any customary concession, privilege, or change in usage.