What are the working hours in Assam?
In Assam, shops cap work at 9 hours/day and 48 hours/week under the Assam Shops & Establishments Act, 1971; factories allow 9 hours/day under the Factories Act, 1948. Overtime is paid at twice the ordinary wage, capped at 50 hours / quarter.
Working Hours Rules in Assam
Shops & Establishments Act limits for offices, retail, and services.
| Rule | Limit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Daily working hours (max) | 9 hours | Beyond this counts as overtime |
| Weekly working hours (max) | 48 hours | Spread across 6 working days |
| Spread-over (max) | 11 hours | Total span including breaks |
| Rest interval | 30 minutes after 5 hours | No continuous work beyond 5 hours |
| Weekly off | 1 day | Paid weekly holiday |
| Overtime cap | 50 hours / quarter | Statutory ceiling on overtime |
| Overtime rate | 2x ordinary wages | Double the ordinary wage rate |
| Night shift (women) | Allowed | With safety, transport, consent |
Source: Assam Shops & Establishments Act, 1971. Verified as on June 2026. Cross-check the current Assam Labour Department notification before drafting HR policy.
Shops Act vs Factories Act in Assam
Factories follow the central Factories Act, 1948. Offices and shops follow the state Shops Act.
| Parameter | Shops & Establishments | Factories |
|---|---|---|
| Daily hours | 9 hours (S&E) | 9 hrs (Sec 54) |
| Weekly hours | 48 hours | 48 hrs (Sec 51) |
| Spread-over | 11 hours | 10.5 hrs (Sec 56) |
| Rest interval | 30 min / 5 hrs | 30 min / 5 hrs (Sec 55) |
| Overtime rate | 2x wages | 2x wages (Sec 59) |
| OT cap | 50 hours / quarter | 50 hrs / quarter (Sec 64) |
OSH Code 2020 - Impact on Assam
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 will replace the Factories Act and state Shops Acts once notified. It proposes a uniform daily limit, a 125-hour quarterly overtime cap, and double overtime pay. The Code is passed but its rules are not yet in force. Assam continues under the Assam Shops & Establishments Act, 1971 and the Factories Act, 1948 until notification.
Track Assam Working Hours and Overtime
factoHR India applies Assam daily and weekly caps, flags spread-over breaches, computes overtime at 2x, and keeps Form IX records audit-ready for inspections.
Working Hours in Other States
All statesAssam Working Hours FAQs
If you employ staff in Assam, the same workforce is also covered by minimum wage rates in Assam, Professional Tax in Assam, and the public holiday calendar for Assam. Keep every Assam statutory obligation aligned across your payroll.