BMS slams labour law amendments, warns of direct action
The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has strongly opposed and condemned the State government's decision to amend the existing labour laws through the AP Factories Amendment Bill, 2025.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, BMS National Vice President M. Jagadiswara Rao and State General Secretary M.V.S. Naidu criticised the decision to increase the working hours to 10, stating that it would negatively impact workers' health and welfare.
They dismissed the State government's justification that these changes were necessary to ensure Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and will attract investors. The leaders said that the changes would not reduce procedural burdens for industrial units. The increase of OT (Overtime) hours from 50 to 144 hours every quarter is wrong and will impact employment prospects of job seekers.
Mr. Jagadiswara Rao recalled that the BMS had previously opposed the four Labour Codes proposed by the Centre to replace labour laws, as they were not in the interests of workers. Many State governments have been amending their labour laws with the Centre's decision. Now, the Alliance government in AP has decided to amend its labour laws and sent the proposal to the Centre.
He added that the OT policy was brought in to utilise the services of workers for emergencies, not regularly. The proposal to permit women workers in night shifts even with safeguards is not correct. The BMS leaders reiterated their demand for the withdrawal of the proposed amendment, failing which they would resort to direct action.
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