New rules have been brought into force in India that modify the Industrial Disputes Act 1947. These introduce a new facility for hiring fixed-term workers, allow additional overtime hours and relax notice on termination requirements in Indian textile and garment factories. The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Central Rules apply to factories with 100 or more employees and the revised overtime limit raises the cap from 50 hours to 90 hours for every 4-month period.
The Indian government has also announced a new scheme that will pay employers’ contributions of 8.33% to company pension schemes for a period of up to three years. The funding is only available for employees earning up to IRN 15,000 ($US 223) per month and requires both employers and employees to register with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization of India. Companies in the textiles sector will also be able to claim a 3.67% contribution from the provident fund.