The Factories Act of 1948 is a key piece of legislation in India that aims to regulate labor conditions and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of workers in factories. Here’s a brief overview of its key provisions:
- Objective: The primary objective of the Factories Act, 1948 is to ensure a conducive working environment in factories, promoting the health, safety, and welfare of workers, and regulating working hours, leave, holidays, and other conditions of work.
- Applicability: The Act applies to all factories, including those engaged in manufacturing, processing, or other specified operations with the aid of power, as well as those employing ten or more workers, and carrying out manufacturing activities without the aid of power.
- Key Provisions:
- Health and Safety Measures: The Act mandates several health and safety measures such as cleanliness, ventilation, disposal of wastes and effluents, provision of drinking water, and adequate lighting.
- Factory Inspections: Regular inspections of factories are conducted by Factory Inspectors appointed by the government to ensure compliance with the Act’s provisions.
- Working Hours and Overtime: The Act specifies the maximum number of hours that can be worked in a week, mandates rest intervals, and regulates overtime work, ensuring proper compensation for additional hours worked.
- Employment of Women and Children: Provisions are made for regulating the employment of women and children, ensuring their safety and welfare, and prohibiting their employment in certain hazardous occupations.
- Annual Leave with Wages: Every worker is entitled to annual leave with wages, which accrues based on the number of days worked.
- Penalties for Non-compliance: The Act prescribes penalties for contravention of its provisions, which may include fines and imprisonment for offenses.
- Amendments: The Act has undergone several amendments over the years to adapt to changing industrial landscapes and address emerging issues related to labor welfare and safety.
Overall, the Factories Act of 1948 serves as a cornerstone of labor legislation in India, providing a framework for the regulation of factory conditions and the protection of workers’ rights and well-being.