Regarding Working Hours In Factory

Dear All,
I am working in power sector company as Assistant Personnel Officer. I want to know whether working hours as specified in factories act is inclusive of rest hours or not? My second question is that whether a person working in 8 hours shift would be allowed rest hour?
Please do guide me on the issue as union and management have conflicting opinion in the respect.
Regards,
Dr. Shipra
23rd July 2012

SEC 51 READ WITH SEC SEC 54 AND SEC 55 OF THE FACTORIES ACT,STIPULATES THAT NO WORK OF 05 HRS SHALL EXCEED, UNTILL 1/2 HOUR REST INTERVAL SHALL BE GIVEN.INVARIABLY WORKING HOURS INCLUDES REST.PL NOTE THAT WORKING HOURS ARE DIFFERENT FROM PERIODS OF WORK.
26th July 2012 From India, Hyderabad

Dear Friends
If the employee works in shift duties (24 hours / 3 shifts) then the working hours (weekly 48 hours) is included with rest hour. But if the employee is performing the general shift or morning 9 to evening 6 (total 9 hours) it is excluding 1 hour lunch break.
9th August 2012 From India, Kumbakonam