Under the Factories Act 1948, wages for overtime work performed beyond 9 hours per day or 48 hours per week must be paid at which rate relative to the ordinary rate?

• A One and a half times the ordinary rate
• B Three times the ordinary rate
• C Two and a half times the ordinary rate
• D Twice the ordinary rate ✓

Explanation

Sections 51 to 59 of the Factories Act fix the normal working week at 48 hours and 9 hours per day, with spread-over limits. Work beyond these limits qualifies as overtime and must be compensated at twice the ordinary rate of wages under Section 59. The doubled rate is a standard examined figure and distinguishes Indian statute from the 1.5-times convention used in some other jurisdictions.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.

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