Gujarat Government Approves 12-Hour Shifts at Micron’s Semiconductor Plant
Efforts are underway to boost semiconductor manufacturing in India, with Gujarat placing a special priority on this sector. As part of this initiative, permission has been granted for 12-hour work shifts at Micron Technology’s plant in Sanand, Gujarat. However, the total working hours for employees will not exceed 48 hours per week.
The Gujarat government granted this permission under the provisions of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code. This code empowers state governments to exempt factories from certain standard regulations under specific circumstances, provided necessary safety measures are in place. At the same time, it ensures that employees’ weekly working hours do not exceed the prescribed limit. Gujarat’s Minister for Labour, Skill Development, and Employment, Kunvarjibhai Bavaliya, stated, “The primary objective of the OSH Code is to promote ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and ‘Ease of Compliance.’ The code stipulates a maximum work week of 48 hours while also authorizing the state government to grant exemptions to factories. The Gujarat government has exercised this provision keeping in mind the broader public interest, economic growth, and employment potential.” He noted that industrial units must obtain prior government approval to implement 12-hour shifts for workers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has designated the semiconductor sector as a strategic area to position India as a global leader in technology and manufacturing. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat is emerging as the country’s most attractive investment hub for the semiconductor sector, witnessing continuous investment in fabrication, assembly, packaging, testing, and state-of-the-art electronics manufacturing. Semiconductors are essential components used across various industries, including smartphones, automobiles, and electronics. Micron Technology’s Sanand plant will play a significant role in the company’s international manufacturing network. The first phase of this project will include a cleanroom area exceeding 500,000 square feet. Assembly and testing of semiconductor chips at the plant are expected to commence this year. From next year, the plant’s manufacturing capacity could reach tens of millions of semiconductor chips.
