PIB Flags Viral Video: New Labour Codes Misrepresented

India’s official fact-checking arm has strongly refuted a viral social media video that claimed the country’s new Labour Codes mandate 12-hour workdays, adding up to a 72-hour workweek. The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit declared the circulating clip ‘misleading’ and emphasised that the Codes clearly cap weekly working hours at 48, maintaining long-established national labour standards.

The misleading video, which spread rapidly after the Labour Codes took effect on November 21, 2025, alleged that the new rules force employees to work longer hours without adequate rest or compensation.

In response, PIB posted a corrective video with prominent ‘misleading’ stamps over the original content, highlighting exactly where the claims distort the legal provisions. The agency stated that while the Codes allow flexible scheduling, they do not increase total weekly work time.

According to the clarified guidelines, employees may work a 12-hour shift, but only up to four days a week, and only if the employer provides three paid weekly holidays to balance total work time at 48 hours.

Officials also stressed that the Codes require a minimum 12-hour rest period between shifts. Any extension beyond normal work hours requires explicit employee consent and must be compensated at twice the ordinary wage rate, ensuring strong protection against forced or unpaid overtime.

Facts Over Fake

The Labour Codes consolidate several earlier labour laws to modernise India’s workforce framework while protecting employee rights. They aim to introduce flexibility for both employers and workers without compromising safety, rest periods, or fair compensation.

Government notifications state that the intent is to streamline processes, simplify compliance, promote welfare, and prevent exploitation.

The controversy erupted when the viral video claimed that India had officially adopted a mandatory 72-hour workweek, drawing concern and anger among employees and unions.

PIB’s fact-check counters this narrative, urging the public not to rely on unverified clips circulating online.

The agency highlighted that misinformation tends to peak during major policy transitions, making accurate interpretation more crucial than ever.

By visually demonstrating how the viral video manipulated facts, the PIB’s corrective content not only debunks the claim but also helps viewers understand the actual provisions of the Labour Codes.

The government reiterated that worker rights remain central to the legislation, and the 48-hour weekly limit continues unchanged despite the introduction of shift flexibility.

Also Read: PIB Exposes Fake MEA Letter In Cross-Border Disinformation Push