BMS opposes Govt proposal to increase working hours of labourers

New Delhi, June 14 (UNI) The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) today said it is opposed to the UPA Government's proposal to increase working hours of factory workers from eight to twelve hours a day.

BMS National Secretary Baij Nath Rai said the Government was under pressure from foreign countries to increase the working hours from 48 to 60 hours in a week.

''If the government implements the proposal then it will be forced to go on agitation throughout the country,'' he added.

Mr Rai said the BMS and its affiliate organsiations will send memorandams against the move to President A P J Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and ministers concerned.

He said as per the Factories Act 1948 the working hours of workers were defined and no worker will be asked to work more than eight hours.

Mr Rai said the Government has convened a meeting of Group of Ministers, comprising Textiles, Labour and other ministers, on June 30, to discuss the issue.

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