The Government of Madhya Pradesh (Labour Department) has issued a notification dated 2 April 2026, published in the state gazette on 3 April 2026, amending the Madhya Pradesh Factories Rules, 1962 under Sections 87 and 112 of the Factories Act, 1948 (No. 63 of 1948). The amendments introduce prohibitions on the employment of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and young persons (under 18 years) in hazardous processes and workplaces. These changes were previously published as draft notification on 21 August 2025 and have now been finalized.

Key Highlights of the Notification

  • Applicability:
    • All factories governed under the Factories Act, 1948 in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Prohibitions Introduced:
    • Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and adolescents are prohibited from working in hazardous processes including:
      • Lead-related processes and oxide coating.
      • Petrol gas production plants.
      • Benzene and benzene-containing substances.
      • Manganese processes.
      • Solvent extraction plants.
      • Stone-cutting and engraving machinery.
      • Storage of hazardous pesticides.
    • Employment restrictions also apply to any workplace where such hazardous operations are carried out.
  • Maternity Protection:
    • No woman shall be employed in violation of maternity benefit provisions under applicable laws.
    • Employment restrictions apply during the entire pregnancy period and for six months of breastfeeding.
  • Young Workers:
    • Persons below 18 years are prohibited from working in hazardous processes listed in the amended schedules.
  • Legal Basis:
    • Amendments made under Rule 107 of the Madhya Pradesh Factories Rules, 1962.
    • Savings and enforcement provisions aligned with the Factories Act, 1948.

Impact on Employers and Employees

  • For Employers: Factories must immediately update compliance protocols to ensure that pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and adolescents are not engaged in hazardous processes. Non-compliance may attract penalties under the Factories Act, 1948.
  • For Employees: The amendments strengthen workplace safety and health protections, ensuring vulnerable groups are shielded from hazardous exposure.
  • For HR/Compliance Teams: Payroll and workforce deployment systems must be updated to reflect these restrictions. Special attention is required to maternity protection compliance and monitoring of hazardous process assignments.

For detailed reading of this notification and to access all other important updates, please visit the Notifications tab on our website.

Disclaimer: This news post is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers are advised to consult the official gazette notification issued by the Government of Madhya Pradesh or seek professional legal counsel before taking any compliance-related action.