Micron’s Sanand Plant Gets Approval for 12-Hour Shifts Within 48-Hour Weekly Cap
Gujarat has permitted 12-hour work shifts at Micron’s semiconductor plant in Sanand, but statutory limit of 48 hours work per week will continue to apply. The measure comes with a view to assist semiconductor manufacturing and attract strategic investments to Gujarat.
A 12-hour work shift, up to the statutory maximum of 48 hours per week, is now legal at the Sanand facility of Micron Semiconductor Technology India Private Limited in Gujarat. This new step is marked as a big policy shift by the state government that aims to bolster the state's position as an emerging semiconductor manufacturing hub.
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020, has issued the first-of-its-kind approval in Gujarat. On November 21, 2025, the OSH became law across the country. The Code does not change the maximum number of hours a worker can put in every week (48), but it does allow the relevant authorities to exclude factories under certain circumstances.
Gujarat Aims to Become Semiconductor Chip Manufacturing Hub
Gujarat has used this provision in an effort to strike a balance between economic needs and worker protections, especially in light of the state's efforts to entice massive investments in semiconductor production, which is strategically essential. The minister of labour, skill development, and employment, Kunvarji Bavaliya, stated that the goal of the approval was to encourage industrial expansion while maintaining the statutory weekly working restriction in its entirety. According to Bavaliya, the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code prioritises business-friendliness and compliance-friendliness.
The Code sets a weekly maximum of 48 hours of work, although it gives the relevant government the authority to make exceptions for factories. With the state's economy, job market, and general welfare in mind, Gujarat has made use of this provision. On the other hand, the government has made it clear that employees cannot be required to work 12 hours every day just because there has been some relaxation. Adults are allowed to work up to 12 hours per day, as long as their total working hours do not exceed 48 hours per week. The result will be fewer working days offset by longer shifts, with the extra days counted as paid vacation.
Approval Given With Clear Set of Conditions
In order to ensure that the relaxation does not weaken labour rights, the approval is subject to a number of restrictions. Work duration, including breaks, must not exceed twelve hours per day. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Code of 2020 and the Rules for Occupational Safety and Health in Gujarat, 2025, must be followed during rest periods. Additionally, the business must keep track of its workers who operate under the authorised 12-hour arrangement separately. In addition, it must meet any other requirements set down by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator for Factories.
The government has also issued a warning that the exemption may be revoked and legal action taken against the business if the specified conditions are not met. According to Kantilal Amrutiya, minister of state for labour, skill development, and employment, the decision was made to boost strategic industries and increase job possibilities.
