Bhubaneswar, 4th Oct 2025: In a significant move to attract new industries and investments, boost factory productivity, and increase workers’ earnings through extended overtime, the Odisha government has amended key labour laws — namely the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956 and the Factories Act, 1948.
This proposal by the Labour Department was approved by the State Cabinet today, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan. The cabinet gave approval to a total of four proposals from three departments — two from Labour, one from Works, and one from the School and Mass Education Department.
Key Highlights of the Amendments:
✅ Working hours extended to 10 hours per day in shops, commercial establishments, and factories (specifics pending full gazette notification).
✅ Double wages for overtime beyond standard working hours.
✅ Permission for establishments to remain open throughout the year, including on holidays, subject to conditions.
✅ Increased flexibility for businesses to operate, aimed at boosting employment and industrial growth.
Other Cabinet Approvals:
📘 Rs1 2,000 crore approved for the development of Model Schools across the state.
🙏 Rs 226 crore sanctioned for the development of the Maa Tarini shrine in Ghatagaon, a major religious and cultural center.
As per the amendment in the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, any shop or business with 20 or more employees can now implement the revised work schedule, allowing them to increase productivity while also ensuring better wages through regulated overtime.
Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja emphasized that these reforms are aimed at modernizing Odisha’s industrial ecosystem, making it more investment-friendly, and improving the livelihoods of workers.
Further notifications detailing implementation, worker safeguards, and employer obligations are expected to follow.