Latest news with #KITU
News18
21-06-2025
- Business
- News18
12-Hour Workday In Bengaluru Soon? What We Know So Far
Last Updated: The Karnataka government proposes revising work norms to allow 12-hour workdays, sparking opposition from IT/ITeS employee unions. The plan includes a 48-hour weekly cap. The Karnataka government has stirred debate with its proposal to revise working hour norms, potentially allowing private firms to implement 12-hour workdays, including overtime. The move has sparked strong opposition from employee unions, particularly in the IT/ITeS sector. While the government has clarified that the weekly work limit will remain capped at 48 hours, the plan to increase the daily limit from 9 to 10 hours — plus possible overtime — has raised concerns about employee well-being, work-life balance, and job exploitation. What Is the Proposal? The Karnataka government has proposed to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, to increase daily working hours from nine to 10 hours in the state, and to allow up to 12 hours of work a day with overtime. The proposal, if approved, would also raise the quarterly overtime limit from 50 to 144 hours, according to The Hindu. The draft amendments, circulated by Karnataka's labour department to stakeholders, reportedly were aimed at aligning state regulations with directions from the Union government. It had asked all states to consider increasing working hour limits. What Do IT Employee Unions Say? The proposal has triggered strong resistance from IT employees' associations. The union representatives argue that such long workdays will increase stress, lower productivity, and violate the spirit of employee rights. Bengaluru, the country's biggest IT hub, is situated in Karnataka. The Karnataka State IT/ ITeS Employees Union on Wednesday strongly opposed the proposal and called upon 'the entire working class to come in resistance against the Karnataka government move to increase the working hours in IT/ITES/BPO sector to 12 hours a day." In a statement, the KITU said, 'The proposed amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act attempts to normalise a 12-hour work day. The existing Act only allows a maximum of 10 hours work per day, including overtime." It said the amendment will allow the companies to go for a two-shift system instead of the currently existing three shift system, and one third of the workforce will be through out from their employment. The KITU said, 'The proposal to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act to facilitate 12-hour working day is presented in a meeting called by the labour department on June 18, with various stakeholders in the industry." What Government Says Labour Minister Santosh Lad on June 19 issued a detailed statement explaining the government's intent behind the proposed amendment. In his clarification, Santosh Lad assured that the weekly 48-hour cap remains unchanged, and the proposal complies with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards and domestic labour laws. 'There is no violation of any international convention or standard," he stated. 'The 10-hour period is inclusive of a one-hour rest interval, meaning the active working time per day would remain 9 hours," he said. Currently, as per the current law under Section 7 of the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, the daily work limit is 9 hours, including a 1-hour break. However, with the proposed additional one hour a day, employees will get to choose five working days instead of six. He also said the proposal is currently under consultation, with stakeholder meetings already held, and no final decision has been made yet. 'The government of Karnataka is committed to the welfare of its entire workforce. We are in active dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure the final decision is holistic, balanced, and beneficial for all," he added. The labour department defended these proposals saying that the Union government has already 'directed" states to amend working hours limits. The department also said similar decision has been taken by Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand also, according to Deccan Herald. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 21, 2025, 14:20 IST News business 12-Hour Workday In Bengaluru Soon? What We Know So Far
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IT employees raise red flag, Karnataka's labour department says no change in weekly hours
Bengaluru: Even as the Karnataka labour department insists that proposed amendments to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act-1961 will not breach the 48-hour weekly cap, the state's tech workforce remains unconvinced. The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU), which led a protest in Bengaluru, argued that the proposed amendments would institutionalise excessive workloads. The department, however, claims the changes are intended to provide "flexibility" to employers and employees, allowing them to complete their weekly quota over fewer days. At the centre of the controversy is the department's plan to increase daily working hours from 9 to 10, and the maximum permissible overtime from 50 to 144 hours per quarter. This could allow for up to 12-hour workdays, including overtime. Citing long-standing concerns over unpaid overtime and chronic overwork, many fear the draft amendments will legalise exploitative practices that have become rampant in the IT and ITeS sector. "Even if you cap the week at 48 hours, that still averages to about 9.6 hours over five days. Add the legalised overtime — about 2.5 hours per day — and we're back to 12-hour shifts. And overtime compensation? It doesn't exist in practice," an IT employee said. Employees told TOI that existing loopholes enable companies to demand long hours without paying for them. The fear now is that the amendments will provide a legal cover for what is currently an unspoken but widely followed practice. KITU general secretary Suhas Adiga, who attended a recent stakeholders' meeting organised by the department, pointed out lack of transparency. "We asked for data on how many employees are working overtime and what they're paid. The minister admitted that not a single company responded. There's no data. No accountability," he said. KITU's official stance is that the move will exacerbate health risks, erode work-life balance, and push employees further into burnout. Chitra Banu, KITU member, was unequivocal in her stance. "It won't get implemented; we won't let it happen." Not everyone in the industry opposes the move. Adithya M, who works at a Bengaluru-based startup, said: "I've been working 10–12 hour days anyway. My body and mind are used to it. This isn't a big deal for startup folks." According to union leaders, this is precisely the problem — the new norms are merely catching up with exploitative realities instead of challenging them. "Now that 144 hours of overtime per quarter is legal, we're just putting a rubber stamp on what's been happening illegally," KITU secretary Sooraj Nidiyanga said. The labour department maintains that the changes are aligned with International Labour Organisation (ILO) norms and are part of broader efforts to modernise labour law. But the discontent from the ground tells another story — one of disconnect between legislative intent and lived experience. For now, the IT sector's fears remain unresolved, with trust in short supply and clarity even shorter.
India Today
19-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Proposal for 12-hour tech firm workdays faces strong opposition in Karnataka
The Karnataka government's proposal to raise work hours for private firms to 12 hours daily faces strong opposition from employees, including the Information Technology/Information Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITeS) workers' association.A meeting was held by the state's Labour Department on Wednesday with industry and trade union leaders regarding a proposed 12-hour workday amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) strongly opposed the proposal, calling it "modern-day slavery." KITU leaders Suhas Adiga and Lenil Babu, who attended the meeting, asked all workers to come together against the change, warning it could badly affect work-life balance and job security. The KITU highlighted that current laws allow a maximum of 10 working hours per day, including overtime. They said the proposed change would legalise 12-hour shifts and a two-shift system, which could cause the loss of one-third of existing union accused the government of putting corporate profits ahead of worker welfare and ignoring basic employee rights. 'The government is attempting to normalise inhuman conditions. This amendment is not about productivity — it's about pleasing corporate bosses by turning human beings into machines,' said Adiga, KITU the 'State Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024', KITU also raised concerns about rising mental health issues, noting that 90 per cent of corporate employees under the age of 25 suffer from unions are determined to fight the proposal and safeguard workers' rights across the last year, IT firms in Karnataka had reportedly proposed extending employee work hours to 14 hours a day, including overtime, through an amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961. The move faced strong opposition from employees, who called it inhuman and raised concerns about health and this month, the Andhra Pradesh government amended the labour laws in the state to increase the maximum working hours for private sector employees from nine to hours – in what it said was with the aim of boosting investment and by Sneha A Suneeth
India.com
19-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
10-Hour Work Rule?! Amid Employee Protests, Here's What Karnataka Govt Has To Say
Reported by Prashobh Devanahalli Bengaluru: The Karnataka government's proposal to extend daily working hours from 9 to 10 especially for employees in the IT sector has stirred strong reactions. Labour unions, including the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU), have slammed the idea, calling it 'modern digital slavery' and raising concerns over employee rights and work-life balance. KITU warned that such a shift would disrupt the existing three-shift system prevalent in tech companies, potentially replacing it with a two-shift structure. This could result in significant job losses, with up to one-third of workers at risk. The union also highlighted serious health and mental well-being implications, citing the sector's growing incidents of stress-related illnesses, burnout, and even suicides. 'This proposal undermines fundamental rights to personal time, health, and dignity at work,' said a KITU representative. 'It prioritises corporate convenience over human lives. We urge all IT and ITeS employees in Karnataka to stand together and oppose this in the strongest terms.' Clarification from Labour Minister In response to the backlash, Karnataka's Labour Minister, Shri Santhosh Lad, issued a detailed press release clarifying that the initiative to amend work-hour regulations was not introduced by the state government but was instead proposed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. According to the minister, the proposal stems from a task force constituted by the Central Government, led by Mr. Manoj Joshi, IAS, Secretary of the Department of Land Resources. This committee held consultations with Karnataka's Chief Secretary and senior state officials. The two key amendments proposed by the Centre are: 1. An increase in the maximum daily working hours from 9 to 10. 2. Raising the threshold for mandatory compliance under the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act to workplaces with 10 or more employees. These proposals were forwarded by the Labour Commissioner of Karnataka to the Secretary of the Labour Department on May 30, 2025. The Secretary is now conducting stakeholder consultations with employee unions, industry representatives, and legal advisors to examine the implications. 'To clarify, the proposed changes have been initiated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. The state is currently evaluating the matter through a consultative process,' said Shri Santhosh Lad. Mixed Reactions from Stakeholders A stakeholder meeting chaired by Labour Secretary Rohini Sindhuri was recently held at Vikas Soudha. Participants included representatives from labour unions, trade bodies such as FKCCI, hotel owners, and business leaders. While business owners welcomed the potential for operational flexibility and weekly offs, unions remained firmly opposed. 'We support the proposal if it guarantees two days off per week or additional compensation for extended work hours,' said P.C. Rao, President of the Bangalore Hotel Owners' Association. Sources suggest that a final decision is pending cabinet approval, and the proposed amendments may be tabled during the upcoming session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. As debates intensify, all eyes remain on the government's next steps and how it will balance economic imperatives with employee welfare in one of India's fastest-growing tech hubs.
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Business Standard
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
12-hour work shift in IT? Karnataka govt faces backlash over proposal
The Karnataka government's proposal to amend existing labour laws and extend working hours in the IT, ITeS, and BPO sectors to 12 hours a day has triggered widespread criticism from employee unions and ignited debate across social media. In a meeting held on Wednesday by the state's Labour Department with industry stakeholders and trade unions, it was suggested that the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act be amended to permit a longer workday. At present, the Act limits work to a maximum of 10 hours per day, including overtime. The Karnataka State IT/ITES Employees Union (KITU) strongly opposed the proposal, describing it as a "form of modern-day slavery" and accusing the government of prioritising corporate profits over workers' rights. The union warned that enabling 12-hour shifts could lead to a two-shift system replacing the current three-shift system, potentially rendering one-third of the workforce redundant. 'This amendment will normalise inhuman conditions. It's not about productivity, it's about appeasing corporate bosses by turning workers into machines,' said KITU leader Suhas Adiga to news agency PTI after attending the meeting alongside fellow unionist Lenil Babu. KITU argued that such a move would erode work-life balance, worsen mental health issues, and further entrench job insecurity in the IT sector. Citing the State Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024, the union highlighted that 90 per cent of corporate employees under the age of 25 already suffer from anxiety. The union also pointed to global trends, noting that many countries are now recognising the negative effects of extended work hours and are enacting laws to establish the "right to disconnect" as a fundamental employee right. Narayan Murthy hours: Internet trolls 12-hour workday proposal As news of the government's proposal spread, social media erupted with memes and commentary. Many memes and jokes involved Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who last year controversially advocated for a 70-hour workweek and criticised the concept of work-life balance. One user dubbed the proposed 12-hour shifts as "Narayana Murthy hours", another wrote, 'Narayana Murthy laughing in the corner after hearing that the Karnataka government plans to increase work hours to 12 hours per day for IT workers'. During the CNBC-TV18 Global Leadership Summit last year, Murthy had argued that as a developing country, India cannot afford the luxury of reduced working hours. He said that hard work and dedication were essential to achieve economic growth, remarking, 'We first have to get a life, then we can worry about work-life balance'. Despite the uproar, the Karnataka government has not issued an official clarification on the proposed changes or whether they will move forward with the legislative amendment. Meanwhile, KITU has called for collective resistance from all employees in the sector.
