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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
15 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Donald Trump to decide in two weeks whether US will strike Iran: White House
US President Donald Trump said Thursday he will decide within two weeks whether to authorise a direct US military strike on Iran, as the conflict between Tehran and Israel intensifies, according to The Associated Press (AP). His statement, read by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, pointed to a 'substantial chance' for renewed diplomacy over Iran's nuclear program. Quoting Trump, Leavitt announced: 'Based on the fact that there is a substantial chance of negotiation that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future… I will make my decision whether or not to go, within the next two weeks.' Trump is reportedly considering targeting Iran's fortified Fordo uranium enrichment site — a facility buried deep underground and considered accessible only to US 'bunker-buster' bombs. These bombs are designed to penetrate up to 200 feet of earth or concrete before detonating. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Wednesday, Trump declined to confirm whether he had decided to join Israel's campaign targeting Iran's nuclear enrichment program. 'I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do.' He added that he has 'ideas as to what to do' and that he prefers to make the 'final decision one second before it's due.' The ongoing conflict began with a surprise wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military installations. According to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group, at least 639 people — including 263 civilians — have been killed in Iran, with more than 1,300 injured. Meanwhile, Israeli officials estimate that Iran has launched roughly 450 missiles and 1,000 drones. Most have been intercepted, but at least 24 Israelis have died and hundreds more have been injured. Tensions escalated sharply after Iranian missiles struck a major hospital in southern Israel and hit residential buildings near Tel Aviv, injuring at least 240 people, as per AP. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz directly threatened Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying, 'In order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist.' Israeli fighter jets, too, carried out renewed strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking from the rubble outside Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, said he trusted Trump to 'do what's best for America,' adding, 'they're already helping a lot.' Meanwhile, Soroka Medical Center became one of several hospitals that had already activated emergency protocols amid the escalating threat. At the time of the missile strike, the hospital was treating around 700 patients. At least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded, though most injuries were minor due to pre-emptive evacuations to underground wards. Israel's Home Front Command said one Iranian ballistic missile appeared to be loaded with cluster munitions — a type of weapon that disperses small bomblets over a wide area. Iranian officials denied targeting the hospital, claiming instead they struck a nearby military tech unit. Israel confirmed its air force targeted Iran's Arak heavy water reactor, a facility once central to Iran's ability to produce plutonium — a material usable in nuclear weapons. Iranian state TV said the site had been evacuated and posed 'no radiation danger.' The Arak reactor had been partially redesigned under the 2015 nuclear deal, but work stalled after the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018. Israeli forces said their strike aimed to prevent the facility from being restored to weapons-grade capability. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has acknowledged it no longer has full oversight of Iran's heavy water production due to recent restrictions. (With inputs from AP)
Economic Times
24 minutes ago
- Economic Times
HCL Tech shares in focus after partnership with US energy firm Just Energy
Shares of HCL Technologies will be in focus on Friday after the IT major announced a partnership with US-based energy supply company Just Energy to enhance the latter's operations and customer experience. ADVERTISEMENT Under the agreement, HCLTech will deliver digital process outsourcing solutions powered by its generative AI platform to streamline functions across IT, finance, analytics, customer care, sales, and renewals, the company said in a statement. This marks HCLTech's second major deal in the energy sector this week. On Monday, the Noida-based software exporter announced a collaboration with European energy giant to provide cloud and network management services. 'By combining our expertise in GenAI and digital process outsourcing, HCLTech will contribute significantly to Just Energy's innovation strategy and customer satisfaction,' said Ajay Bahl, Chief Growth Officer – Americas, Manufacturing and Allied Industries at company will also deploy its business process optimisation tools and a role-specific, single-user interface platform to improve workforce collaboration and operational workflows at Just Energy.'We are confident that HCLTech's proven expertise and commitment to service excellence will help us achieve our key business objectives related to operational efficiency and service improvements,' said Scott Fordham, Chief Operating Officer at Just Energy. ADVERTISEMENT Also Read: 8 debt-free penny stocks that surged 110-300% in the last 1 year. Do you own any? According to Trendlyne data, the average target price for HCLTech is Rs 1,668, indicating a potential downside of around 3% from current levels. Among the 44 analysts tracking the stock, the consensus rating is 'Hold'. ADVERTISEMENT HCLTech shares closed marginally lower by 0.1% at Rs 1,713.90 on the BSE in Thursday's trade. While the stock has gained 11% over the past three months, it remains down over 10% year-to-date. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times) ADVERTISEMENT (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
HCL Tech shares in focus after partnership with US energy firm Just Energy
Live Events HCL Tech share price target (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel Shares of HCL Technologies will be in focus on Friday after the IT major announced a partnership with US-based energy supply company Just Energy to enhance the latter's operations and customer the agreement, HCLTech will deliver digital process outsourcing solutions powered by its generative AI platform to streamline functions across IT, finance, analytics, customer care, sales, and renewals, the company said in a marks HCLTech's second major deal in the energy sector this week. On Monday, the Noida-based software exporter announced a collaboration with European energy giant to provide cloud and network management services.'By combining our expertise in GenAI and digital process outsourcing, HCLTech will contribute significantly to Just Energy's innovation strategy and customer satisfaction,' said Ajay Bahl, Chief Growth Officer – Americas, Manufacturing and Allied Industries at company will also deploy its business process optimisation tools and a role-specific, single-user interface platform to improve workforce collaboration and operational workflows at Just Energy.'We are confident that HCLTech's proven expertise and commitment to service excellence will help us achieve our key business objectives related to operational efficiency and service improvements,' said Scott Fordham, Chief Operating Officer at Just to Trendlyne data, the average target price for HCLTech is Rs 1,668, indicating a potential downside of around 3% from current levels. Among the 44 analysts tracking the stock, the consensus rating is 'Hold'.HCLTech shares closed marginally lower by 0.1% at Rs 1,713.90 on the BSE in Thursday's trade. While the stock has gained 11% over the past three months, it remains down over 10% year-to-date.
