India, Sept. 29 -- The Odisha cabinet on Monday allowed women employees in private establishments to work night shifts with their written consent while extending the maximum daily working hours in shops and establishments from 9 to 10 hours with provision of overtime wages for people working beyond 10 hours a day.

The state cabinet which was chaired by chief minister Mohan Majhi cleared amendments to the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, and the Factories Act, 1948. Accordingly, the daily working hours have been increased from nine to ten, while the weekly cap remains at 48 hours.

In August, the Labour & ESI department had asked the employers to obtain written consent from women willing to work night shifts, ensuring...