For the working class in India, a four-day work week might soon become a reality. It is likely that the four new labour codes will be implemented by the end of the next fiscal year, which may make this feasible. Wages, social security, industrial relations, and occupation safety, health and working conditions are included in the four new codes.
An official from the government has been quoted by PTI as saying that the four labour codes are likely to be adopted in the next financial year of 2022-23, as a large number of states have finalized draft rules on these codes. Since labour is a concurrent subject, the Centre wants the states to implement these as well in one go. It has finished finalising the draft rules on these codes in February 2021.
Following the implementation of the new codes, several aspects of work culture and employment will change in the country. These changes will have a profound impact on working hours, take-home pay, and PF contributions.
It is reported that once the new codes have been implemented, the take-home salary for the employees will decrease since a provident fund contribution would be made. With the implementation of the four-day work week, it is also likely that the employees will work for 12 hours a day for these 4 days, since the labour ministry has made it clear that an employee must work a minimum of 48 hours each week.
Earlier this month, United Arab Emirates officially became the first country in the world to introduce a four-and-a-half-day workweek for all government employees.
