IT firms in Karnataka have proposed to the state government to extend employee working hours to 14 hours, according to sources. This proposal has faced strong opposition from employees, who argue that it is inhumane and raises concerns about health issues and potential layoffs.
Sources indicate that the state government is considering amendments to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961. IT companies are pushing for their proposal to be included in this amendment, which would legally extend work hours to 14 hours (12 hours plus 2 hours of overtime).
Under the current labor laws, the permitted working hour duration is 9 hours, with an additional hour allowed as overtime.
The new proposal from the IT sector states, “employees in the IT/ITeS/BPO sector may be required or allowed to work more than 12 hours a day, not exceeding 125 hours in three continuous months.”
Sources indicated that the government has conducted an initial meeting on this matter, and further decisions will be made soon. The proposal is expected to be reviewed by the Cabinet.
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Strong resistance from employees
The move to extend working hours has faced strong resistance from the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU). The union warned that one-third of the workforce could lose their jobs as the number of working shifts would be reduced. They argue that the amendment would enable companies to switch from a three-shift system to a two-shift system, leading to significant job losses.
The union also highlighted studies on the health impact of extended working hours among IT employees, noting that 45% of employees in the IT sector are dealing with mental health issues such as depression, while 55% face physical health problems. They believe that increasing working hours will worsen these issues.
The union accused the state of treating employees as machines rather than human beings and urged the Siddaramaiah government to reconsider and reject the IT firms’ proposal. They argued that the government appears more focused on increasing corporate profits than on the well-being and personal lives of workers.
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