Latest news with #KITU
Time of India
10 hours ago
- 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 hours ago
- 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
20 hours ago
- 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
21 hours ago
- 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.
India Today
a day ago
- Business
- India Today
Karnataka plans 10-hour days for tech sector employees: Report
The Karnataka government is planning to increase daily working hours for employees in the information technology (IT) sector, reported the Deccan Herald. The move has been met with strong criticism from trade unions, who say it will hurt workers' rights and damage work-life present, Section 7 of the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, limits working hours to nine per day, and allows a maximum of 10 hours of overtime in three months. The total overtime in this period cannot go beyond 50 hours. However, under the government's new proposal, the maximum working hours would be raised to 10 per day, with overtime going up to 12 hours per day. The total overtime allowed in three months would also be increased from 50 to 144 MOVE IN ANDHRA PRADESHThe Karnataka government's proposal follows a similar decision taken in Andhra Pradesh, where the TDP-led NDA government recently allowed companies to increase the daily working hours from nine to 10. The change was made as part of the state's efforts to attract investment and make doing business Pradesh's Information and Public Relations Minister, K Parthasarathy, said that the state wants to make labour laws more friendly for both workers and companies. He also said that women, who were earlier not allowed to work at night, can now do so with certain safety rules like consent, transport, security, and proper lighting at the minister added, 'When you work extra, income will increase. By these rules, women can work in the formal sector. They empower women economically and promote gender inclusion and industrial growth.'But the move has also seen opposition. CPI state secretary K Ramakrishna said that the changes in labour laws are against the interest of workers and benefit companies more than OPPOSITION FROM TRADE UNIONS IN KARNATAKASeveral trade unions in Karnataka have opposed the government's reported plan to extend working hours. On Wednesday, the state Labour Department held a meeting with representatives from the industry and trade unions to discuss the possible amendment to the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) took part in the meeting and clearly opposed the idea. KITU called the proposal a form of 'modern-day slavery' and said it would harm workers' health, work-life balance, and job security. The union appealed to all employees in the sector to stand together against the proposed leaders Suhas Adiga and Lenil Babu, who attended the meeting, said the law already allows up to 10 working hours per day including overtime. They warned that the amendment would make 12-hour shifts legal and encourage companies to introduce a two-shift system. This, they said, could lead to job cuts and increased pressure on said, 'The government is trying to normalise inhuman working conditions. This change is not about improving productivity—it is about keeping corporate heads happy by turning human beings into machines.'MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNSKITU also raised concerns about the mental health of employees in the corporate sector. The union referred to the 'State Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024,' which found that 90% of corporate employees under the age of 25 suffer from anxiety. It said the proposed increase in working hours would only make the problem union said that instead of extending working hours, the government should focus on protecting workers' rights and supporting their proposal is still under discussion, and no final decision has been made. More talks between the government, trade unions, and industry groups are expected in the coming workers' groups have made it clear that they will continue to oppose any changes that increase working hours or reduce job Reel advertisement
