Latest news with #KParthasarathy
India Today
2 days 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
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Bad news for techies: Karnataka govt plans to increase working hours to 12 hours per day; IT unions oppose move
Karnataka working hours' move follows Andhra Live Events Trade Unions against proposed rise in Karnataka working hours (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government has alleged move to extend daily working hours in certain sectors, including IT, from 10 hours to 12 hours, a move met with resistance from several trade per Section 7 of the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, the working hours per day cannot exceed nine hours and the maximum hours of overtime cannot exceed 10 hours. The Act also puts an upper limit of 50 hours on overtime (OT) work for three months. Through the proposed changes, the government seeks to extend the maximum working hours to 10 hours a day and the maximum overtime to 12 hours a day. It also seeks to increase the overtime limit from 50 to 144 hours in three months, according to a Deccan Herald TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has decided to raise the maximum working hours from nine to 10 per day as part of ease of doing business and attracting Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister K Parthasarathy said that it has been decided to amend labour laws to make them 'favourable' to workers and to the I&PR Minister, women were not allowed to work in the night shifts earlier but now they can work with safeguards such as consent, transport facility, security and said the workplace of women during night shifts should be fully illuminated."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. Also contribute to women's empowerment," he K Ramakrishna, State Secretary of CPI, opposed the NDA alliance government's stand on labour laws amendments. He alleged that the Central and state governments are working against the interests of trade unions on Wednesday strongly opposed the Karnataka government's alleged move to extend daily working hours in certain sectors, including state Labour Department on Wednesday convened a meeting with the industry representatives and trade union leaders to discuss a proposed amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, which reportedly seeks to increase the daily working hours to State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) said it opposed the proposal, calling it a form of "modern-day slavery".It appealed to all employees across the sector to unite and resist the proposed changes, which it claims would gravely impact work-life balance and job said its leaders Suhas Adiga and Lenil Babu were among those present in the that the law permitted a maximum of 10 working hours per day including overtime, KITU alleged that the proposed amendment would legalise 12-hour shifts and facilitate a two-shift system, potentially eliminating one-third of the charged that this move prioritises corporate profits over employee welfare and undermines workers' fundamental 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,' Adiga cited alarming mental health statistics, and said the 'State Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024,' found that 90 per cent of corporate employees under 25 suffer from anxiety.
India Today
10-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Andhra changes labour laws to raise private sector working hours to 10
The Andhra Pradesh government has amended the state's labour laws to increase the maximum working hours for private sector employees, in what it said was with the aim of boosting investment and decision, to increase the working hours from nine to ten hours per day, was approved by the TDP-led NDA government during a recent cabinet meeting. They will be incorporated through changes to the Andhra Pradesh Factories Act. Earlier, the limit was eight hours per day, which was extended to nine hours nearly a decade new regulation will apply to all private firms and factories operating in the state. Information and Public Relations Minister K Parthasarathy announced the amendment, saying the changes were part of the government's broader 'Ease of Doing Business' elaborated that under Section 54 of the Act, the working hours have been raised from nine to ten hours a the prescribed break period under Section 55 has been changed. 'There used to be a one-hour rest for five hours (work); now that has been changed to six hours,' he Act currently also allows a maximum of nine working hours per day, with a mandatory 30-minute break after five hours of continuous overtime cap has also been increased, from the existing 75 hours to 144 relaxation of rules will help attract more investments,' he unions, however, have strongly criticised the move, warning that it could lead to excessive working hours. They fear that some employers may compel workers to stay beyond the revised schedule, pushing daily shifts beyond 12 hours in parties and users on social media also voiced concern, calling the policy anti-worker and demanding that it be rolled inputs from agenciesMust Watch
News18
09-06-2025
- Business
- News18
Andhra Govt Faces Heat Over 10-Hour Workday For Private Employees
Last Updated: The Andhra Pradesh government has raised the maximum working hours from nine to ten per day. The Andhra Pradesh government, now under the TDP-led NDA alliance, has announced a controversial change in labour regulations, raising the daily work-hour limit from nine to ten hours. The policy now allows private companies and factories to extend employee workdays by an additional hour. The move has triggered widespread criticism and backlash on social media, with many questioning the impact on worker welfare and demanding a rollback of the decision. According to a PTI report, Andhra Pradesh's Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister K Parthasarathy said the government decided to amend labour laws to make them more 'favourable' for both workers and investors. However, people on social media expressed confusion and frustration, questioning how longer workdays could benefit them. The decision has also led to strong criticism from trade unions, who argue the policy prioritised corporate interests over employee well-being. 🚨 Andhra Pradesh government has increased the maximum working hours from 9 to 10 hours per day. — Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) June 8, 2025 On social media, the response to Andhra Pradesh's decision to increase working hours has been overwhelmingly negative. Many users pointed out that the move seems to benefit business owners while burdening employees. There were concerns that private companies might soon enforce the 10-hour schedule as a mandatory norm, severely impacting work-life balance. 'Good for financial growth. What about mental health? 10 hrs work, 2 hrs travelling, 8 hrs sleep — you have to do everything else in the remaining 4 hours," a user posted on X (formerly Twitter). The sentiment was echoed widely, with many highlighting the toll on family life and mental well-being. 'Nine hours was already a stretch, and now they've added one more. Overworking employees has long-term consequences — people will have no time for family. AP's fertility rate is already declining, and this discourages people from having or raising children," another user warned. Others on social media pointed out that working hours in many parts of India already exceed the global average of eight hours per day, and increasing them further only worsens the situation. 'The government is hand in glove with corrupt corporations that want to exploit cheap labour," a user alleged, echoing a common sentiment that the new policy serves the interests of big businesses rather than workers. Many also questioned whether the extended workday would be accompanied by a proportional increase in wages. Dozens of users expressed scepticism, suggesting that employees would end up working longer hours for the same pay, effectively reducing their hourly earnings and adding to workplace exploitation. First Published:
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘No time for life': Andhra Pradesh's new 10-hour work rule slammed by workers, unions
The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to raise the maximum working hours from nine to 10 per day in a move that has led to outrage and backlash on social media. This decision from the TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh will allow private companies and factories to increase their maximum working hours to 10 per day, up one hour from the earlier nine. As per a PTI report, the Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister K Parthasarathy said that it has been decided to amend labour laws to make them 'favourable' to workers and investors. However, workers on social media struggled to see how increased working hours would be 'favourable' for them. The move has also drawn the ire of trade unions, On social media, users said that increased work hours would benefit only business owners at the cost of employees. Many were of the opinion that private companies would implement 10 hours as mandatory policy, further affecting work-life balance. 'Good for financial growth. What about mental health? 10 hrs work, 2 hrs travelling, 8 hrs sleep, you have to do everything in left 4 hours,' wrote X user Ankit. 'So the Andhra Pradesh govt thinks longer hours = better productivity? No, it means exploitation. More hours, same pay, worse lives. Workers deserve dignity, not burnout,' X user Supriya opined. Several people said the move will lead to overworked employees who have no time to spend with family. '9 hours of working itself was a lot and they still increased it. Overworking your employees has tickled down effects, people will have no time to spend with their families. AP fertility rate is already falling rapidly & you're disincentivizing people from having/raising kids,' an X user said. Others noted how maximum working hours in parts of India are already more than the global average of 8 hours per day. 'The Government is hand in glove with the corrupt corporations that want to exploit cheap labour,' a user said. Dozens of people wondered whether increased working hours would come with an accompanying pay raise. "Because of this (amendments to labour laws), investors in factories will (come to our state). These labour rules will be favourable for labourers and they will come to invest more. Globalisation is happening in every state. These amendments were brought to implement global rules," said Minister K Parthasarathy. Further, the minister observed that the cabinet has also relaxed night shift rules to enable more women to work in the night shifts. According to the I&PR Minister, women were not allowed to work in the night shifts earlier but now they can work with safeguards such as consent, transport facility, security and surveillance. Meanwhile, K Ramakrishna, State Secretary of CPI, opposed the NDA alliance government's stand on labour laws amendments. He alleged that the Central and state governments are working against the interests of workers. "For the past 11 years, the Modi government has repeatedly taken measures that infringe upon workers' rights in India," Ramakrishan told PTI on Saturday.
