Workplace · For citizens
Factory worker? Your leave is the law.
In short
Under the Factories Act 1934 as it applies in Punjab: 14 days annual leave after 12 months of service (s.49B), 10 days casual leave with full pay and 16 days sick leave on half pay (s.49H), paid festival holidays (s.49I) and 7 days paternity leave (s.49-J). Unused annual leave carries forward, up to 14 days.
By the FAI Legal editorial desk · 12 October 2026 · 11 slides · 2 min read
Myth or fact?
What people often think.
- Myth: Leave is a favour from the owner.
- Fact: Paid leave in a factory is set by law: the Factories Act, 1934, sections 49B to 49J.
Your leave.
Sections 49B and 49H.
- Annual14 days in a row, after 12 months of continuous service (s.49B(1)).
- Casual10 days a year, with full pay (s.49H(1)).
- Sick16 days a year, on half average pay (s.49H(2)).
Quick quiz. Unused leave.
Guess first, then swipe for the answer.
- A. It is lost
- B. It carries forward
- C. Paid only if you resign
Answer: B. Section 49B(2).
The rule in the law.
“If a worker fails in any one such period of twelve months to take the whole of the holidays allowed to him under sub-section (1), any holidays not taken by him shall be added to the holidays to be allowed to him under sub-section (1) in the succeeding period of twelve months, so however that the total number of holidays which may be carried forward to a succeeding period shall not exceed fourteen.”
Factories Act, 1934 · Section 49B(2), Annual holidays
Leaving or fired?
Section 49B(3).
- DischargedFired before you were given your annual leave: the employer pays for it.
- RefusedYou applied, were refused, then quit: the employer pays for it.
Festival holidays.
Section 49I.
- PaidHolidays with pay on all festival days the Government declares.
- Made to work?One extra compensatory holiday with full pay, and a substitute holiday.
New father?
Section 49-J, added in 2022.
- Seven daysPaternity leave with full pay, from on or just before the delivery date.
- Two childrenFull pay is limited to the birth of two children.
- Apply earlySeven days before the expected delivery date.
Owner says no?
Sections 60, 74 and 75.
- FineManager and occupier: each up to Rs 20,000 for breaking ss.49B, 49H or 49I (s.60).
- InspectorProsecution is by or with the sanction of the Inspector (s.74).
- Six monthsComplaint within six months of the breach (s.75).
Questions about work?
Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it.
- My factory refused my annual leave and then fired me. Can I get paid for it?
- How many sick leaves does a factory worker get in Punjab?
Example questions
Sources
- Factories Act, 1934 · Section 49B(2)
Annual holidays
Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review. How we check.
