A textile mill asks its adult workers to stay beyond their scheduled shift during peak production season. Under the Factories Act 1948, work performed beyond 9 hours a day or 48 hours a week constitutes overtime. At what rate must overtime wages be paid?

• A At twice the ordinary rate of pay ✓
• B At one and a half times the ordinary rate of pay
• C At the same ordinary rate of pay
• D At three times the ordinary rate of pay

Explanation

Section 59 of the Factories Act 1948 lays down that a worker who works more than 9 hours in any day or more than 48 hours in any week must be paid overtime at the rate of twice his ordinary rate of wages. Weekly hours may exceed 48 only within a spread-over limit of 12 hours a day and 60 hours a week including overtime. The one and a half times rate belongs to shop and establishment laws, not factories.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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