Gujarat has allowed workers at Micron Technology India Pvt Ltd’s semiconductor facility in Sanand to work shifts of up to 12 hours a day, while keeping the overall working limit at 48 hours a week. The move is aimed at supporting continuous chip manufacturing and testing while giving the company greater flexibility to organise its workforce.
The approval is being seen as an important step for Gujarat’s plans to build a strong semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Micron’s Sanand project is one of the major investments coming up under India’s push to expand domestic semiconductor production.
The longer shifts, however, will not mean employees can work beyond the existing weekly limit. The arrangement comes with conditions related to worker consent, safety, rest periods and record-keeping.
Workers Can Opt for 12-Hour Shifts
Under the new arrangement, adult workers at the facility can work for up to 12 hours in a day, provided their total working time does not exceed 48 hours in a week.
Workers must give their written consent before being placed under the extended-shift arrangement.
This means that if a worker completes longer shifts on certain days, the remaining days of the week can be treated as leave or weekly rest so that the overall working time remains within the 48-hour limit.
For example, a worker may work longer shifts on four days and have additional days off, depending on the company’s shift schedule and applicable rules.
The state has also said that the total spread of working hours, including rest intervals, must remain within the prescribed limit.
First Such Approval in Gujarat Under the New Labour Framework
The decision comes after the implementation of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) Code, 2020, which came into effect on November 21, 2025.
The OSH framework allows working-hour arrangements to be structured with greater flexibility, while continuing to protect the prescribed weekly working limit and workplace safety requirements.
Gujarat’s approval is being described as the state’s first such decision since the new framework came into force.
The state government said the decision was taken after considering the wider public interest, economic growth and employment generation.
Why Semiconductor Plants Need Longer Shifts
Semiconductor manufacturing is different from many conventional factories.
Chip assembly and testing require highly controlled environments, specialised equipment and carefully maintained cleanrooms. Production processes may need to continue for long periods because shutting down or repeatedly restarting specialised systems can affect efficiency and production schedules.
Micron’s Sanand facility will operate in a highly controlled cleanroom environment where semiconductor assembly and testing will take place.
The state has therefore allowed greater flexibility in organising worker shifts to meet the requirements of this specialised manufacturing sector.
However, the extended working arrangement will still have to comply with the applicable occupational safety and working-condition rules.
Rest Breaks and Safety Rules Remain Mandatory
The approval does not remove existing worker protections.
Employees working under the arrangement will continue to receive the required rest breaks. The breaks must comply with the OSH Code as well as the Gujarat Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Rules, 2025.
The company will also be required to maintain separate records of workers employed under the extended-shift arrangement.
This is intended to ensure that working hours can be properly monitored and that the 48-hour weekly limit is not exceeded.
The state has also stressed that the arrangement must comply with additional conditions prescribed under the applicable rules.
Micron’s Sanand Project Is a Major Semiconductor Investment
Micron’s semiconductor facility in Sanand is expected to become a major part of India’s emerging chip manufacturing ecosystem.
The first phase of the project is expected to include more than 5 lakh square feet of cleanroom space.
The facility will include a large, single-floor cleanroom designed for semiconductor assembly and testing. According to the state government, the plant is expected to assemble and test tens of millions of chips during 2026.
Production capacity is expected to increase significantly in the following year, with the facility projected to handle hundreds of millions of chips annually from 2027.
The scale of the project explains why the state is focusing on creating working arrangements that can support continuous and specialised manufacturing operations.
Gujarat Building a Semiconductor Hub
The decision is also part of Gujarat’s larger effort to establish itself as a major semiconductor manufacturing centre in India.
The state government said Gujarat has secured six major semiconductor projects under the India Semiconductor Mission.
Together, these projects involve investments of nearly ₹1.4 lakh crore.
They are also expected to generate around 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, creating opportunities not only in semiconductor manufacturing but also in supporting industries, services, logistics and other parts of the supply chain.
What the New Arrangement Means for Workers
For employees, the 12-hour shift system could mean fewer working days in a week while keeping total working hours within the existing weekly ceiling.
However, the arrangement also places importance on proper scheduling and worker welfare because semiconductor facilities require employees to work around complex equipment and controlled production environments.
The requirement for written consent, mandatory rest breaks and separate records is therefore significant.
The arrangement is designed to give the company operational flexibility without increasing the legally permitted weekly working hours.
A Test for India’s New Manufacturing Model
Gujarat’s decision comes at a time when India is trying to attract large investments in advanced manufacturing and reduce its dependence on imported semiconductor components.
The semiconductor industry requires large investments, specialised skills, advanced infrastructure and highly reliable production systems. As India attempts to develop this sector, companies are also seeking workforce arrangements that can match global manufacturing practices.
The Sanand facility could become an important part of that effort.
The approval for 12-hour shifts shows how the government is trying to balance industrial flexibility with existing limits on total working hours and worker safety.
For Gujarat, the larger goal is clear: build an environment where major semiconductor projects can operate efficiently, create employment and help establish the state as one of India’s key hubs for chip manufacturing.
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