The House of Representatives today (24 September) approved a new bill proposing amendments to the Labour Protection Act to limit working hours to 40 hours per week.

The bill proposed by People’s Party MP Charas Khumkainam, and a number of other People’s Party MPs stipulates that working hours be limited to 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Employees are also entitled to 2 days off at the end of a 5 day work week.

For workers in the service sector, tourism industry, and other jobs specified in Labour Ministry regulations, day offs may take place at times agreed upon by employees and employers but must be granted within four weeks after a week when the employee did not take a day off.

It also stipulates that workers who have been working for 120 days receive at least 10 days of annual leave, which may be increased the following year.

The bill was passed in the same session as another bill proposing amendments to the Labour Protection Act granting employees 3 days of menstrual leave per month, 15 days of annual leave to care for family members, breastfeeding breaks, and onsite breastfeeding facilities.

Charas wrote on his Facebook page that the two bills’ passage is a significant step towards improving labour rights, welfare, and workers’ quality of life. He believes that limiting working hours will reduce accidents, illness caused by chronic stress, and high turnover rates. He hopes that the bills improve labour productivity, reduce workplace risk, and result in workers being treated with diginity.