The Kerala High Court has asked the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to fix the working hours of its staff at nine hours as provided under the Factories Act.
The court passed the interim directive on Wednesday when staying the order of the assistant executive engineer of Mattanchery in Kochi asking a few linemen to work at night in addition to their day duty. The order came on a a writ petition filed by the Kerala State Electricity Executive Staff Orgnanisation, Ernakulam unit, and another person challenging the order of the assistant executive engineer.
The court observed that nothing would prevent the KSEB from fixing the working hours at nine hours or that was applicable under Chapter VI of the Factories Act. As per the Act, no adult worker shall be required or allowed to work in a factory for more than nine hours on any day.
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According to the petitioners, four staff under the Mattanchery electrical division had been suspended for not attending day duty after their night shift. The High Court had quashed the order as it found that the order was illegal. Though these staff rejoined duty following the High Court verdict, the assistant executive engineer instructed these staff to work on daytime immediately after their night duty.
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