Govt approves 12-hour shift for Micron employees in Gujarat facility

Gujarat has approved 12-hour work shifts for employees at Micron's semiconductor facility in Sanand, the first such approval in the state. Workers will still be limited to 48 hours a week, with 12-hour shifts allowed only with written consent and other labour safeguards.Gujarat has allowed Micron to introduce 12-hour shifts at its Sanand semiconductor facility under the OSH Code. (Image created using AI for representational purposes)The Gujarat government has allowed Micron Semiconductor Technology India to introduce 12-hour work shifts at its semiconductor facility in Sanand, making it the first factory in the state to receive such approval. However, the total working time for employees will remain capped at 48 hours a week, ANI reported.The permission has been granted under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020, which came into effect across India on November 21, 2025. While the law sets a 48-hour weekly limit, it also allows state governments to provide exemptions for factories under specific conditions."The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code focuses on promoting Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Compliance. While the Code prescribes a maximum of 48 working hours per week, it also empowers the appropriate government to grant exemptions in the case of factories. Gujarat has exercised this provision keeping in view the larger public interest, economic growth and employment generation in the state," Gujarat Minister of Labour, Skill Development and Employment Kunvarji Bavaliya said.Why Micron needs longer shiftsMicron's Sanand plant is being developed as a major semiconductor assembly and testing facility. Its operations involve automated equipment and controlled cleanroom environments that need to function continuously. The state government said longer shifts can help reduce frequent shift changes, limit unnecessary movement in cleanroom areas and improve the use of expensive manufacturing equipment. The first phase of the facility will have more than 500,000 square feet of cleanroom space. Micron is expected to assemble and test tens of millions of chips at the plant in 2026, with production expected to rise to hundreds of millions of chips each year from 2027.The 12-hour arrangement does not mean employees will work six days of 12-hour shifts. Workers covered by the approval can work up to 12 hours a day as long as their weekly total does not cross 48 hours. The remaining days will be treated as paid leave. There are also safeguards attached to the permission. Employees must voluntarily give written consent before working 12-hour shifts. The total spread of working hours, including rest periods, cannot exceed 12 hours in a day, while required breaks must follow the OSH Code and Gujarat's 2025 rules.What happens if employees are exploited?Micron will also have to maintain separate records of workers covered by the arrangement. Any violation of the conditions could result in the approval being cancelled and legal action being taken.Gujarat sees the decision as part of its push to attract semiconductor manufacturing. The state has secured six projects approved under the India Semiconductor Mission, involving investments of nearly Rs 1.4 lakh crore and expected to create around 50,000 direct and indirect jobs."The relaxation reflects the state's commitment to accelerating industrial development, expanding economic activity and creating new employment opportunities while supporting industries of strategic national importance, particularly the semiconductor sector," Gujarat Minister of State for Labour, Skill Development and Employment Kantilal Amrutiya said.- EndsPublished On: Aug 21, 2026 14:02 IST