Labour Codes Overtime Rules: Double Rate, Daily Limit & Your Rights

Bahut se employees ko overtime karna padta hai lekin overtime pay milti nahi — ya toh company ignore karti hai ya employee ko rights nahi pata. New Labour Codes (specifically the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020) mein overtime ke clear provisions hain. Is article mein sab samjhate hain.

Normal Working Hours Kya Hain?

OSHWC Code ke anusaar:

• Normal working hours: 8 hours per day, 48 hours per week
• Isse zyada kaam = overtime
• Weekly rest: minimum 1 day off per week mandatory
• Spread over: kisi bhi din mein kaam ka "spread" (first duty start to last duty end) 12 hours se zyada nahi hona chahiye normally

Overtime Pay Rate

Law ke anusaar overtime pay rate hai double (2x) the regular hourly wage. Matlab agar aapki normal hourly rate ₹200 hai, toh overtime ke liye ₹400/hour milni chahiye.

Overtime calculation ke liye:

• Hourly rate = Monthly gross wage ÷ 26 (working days) ÷ 8 (hours)
• OT rate = Hourly rate × 2
• OT amount = OT rate × OT hours worked

Example: ₹30,000 Monthly Gross, 10 Hours OT in Month

• Hourly rate: ₹30,000 ÷ 26 ÷ 8 = ₹144.23
• OT rate: ₹144.23 × 2 = ₹288.46
• Total OT pay: ₹288.46 × 10 = ₹2,884.60

Overtime Limits

Employees ko indefinitely overtime nahi karaya ja sakta:

• Maximum 2 hours OT per day (OSHWC Code provisions)
• Maximum 125 hours per quarter (Factories Act basis — state implementations vary)
• Aur ek important provision: agar employer zyada OT karwana chahta hai toh prior government permission leni pad sakti hai (state specific)

12-Hour Shift Ke Saath Overtime Ka Kya?

New Labour Codes ne 12-hour shifts allow kiye hain — lekin yeh 4 din kaaro, 3 din chhuti wali arrangement mein. Is case mein:

• Shift 12 hours ki hai lekin weekly total 48 hours remain karta hai (4 × 12 = 48)
• 48 hours se upar kuch bhi OT hai aur double rate pe pay hoga
• State government ki permission aur mutual consent required hai is arrangement ke liye

Agar OT Pay Nahi Mil Rahi — Kya Karo?

Pehle internally resolve karein:

1. Apne OT hours ka record rakho — daily log, attendance records ya email trails
2. HR ko likhit mein request karo OT payment ke liye
3. Agar HR response nahi de rahi, State Labour Department mein complaint file karo

Labour Department Complaint

Har state mein Labour Commissioner ka office hota hai jahan employees OT non-payment ke baare mein complaint kar sakte hain. Process:

• Shramik Portal (shramsevaportal.gov.in) ya state portal pe online complaint
• Ya state Labour Commissioner office visit
• Document: salary slip, attendance records, proof of OT worked

IT sector employees: In most states, IT companies come under state Shops & Establishments Acts which also mandate OT payment. Check your state's S&E Act for the exact provision.

OT Is Taxable

Overtime pay taxable income hai — salary ke saath add hoti hai aur normal slab rate pe tax lagta hai. No exemption available on overtime earnings.