Latest news with #LabourDepartment
Hans India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Govt proposes extending labourers' workday
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has put forward a contentious proposal to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, aiming to increase the standard workday for employees from nine to ten hours, with overtime potentially extending to twelve hours daily. The draft amendment, currently under stakeholder review, has ignited a fierce debate between industry leaders and labour unions over its implications for workers' rights and economic productivity. The Labour Department convened a stakeholder meeting at Vikasa Soudha, chaired by Secretary Rohini Sindhuri, to gather input from factory owners, hoteliers, and union representatives. According to sources, the proposed changes would also raise the quarterly overtime cap from 50 hours to 144 hours and include provisions for Saturday and Sunday holidays. Industry stakeholders have largely endorsed the proposal, arguing it will boost productivity and streamline operations. However, labour unions have vehemently opposed the changes, labelling them as anti-worker and detrimental to employee well-being. Critics warn that extended hours could exacerbate mental and physical health issues, disrupt work-life balance, and potentially reduce job opportunities by encouraging a two-shift system over the current three-shift model. The amendment remains in the consultation phase and requires approval from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly to take effect. As discussions continue, the government faces the challenge of balancing economic ambitions with the need to protect workers' rights, with further stakeholder meetings planned to refine the proposal.
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Business Standard
a day 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
IT workers in sight, Karnataka govt may allow companies to make employees work 12-hr a day
The Karnataka government is mulling a major amendment to its labor laws that could increase the typical workday in companies and organisations to 10 hours, and in some cases to 12 hours, including overtime. The step, meant to align local regulations with national labour reforms and make operational procedures simpler for businesses, has sparked strong protests from trade unions in the to The Hindu, the proposal entails changes to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, presently allowing for a maximum of nine working hours a day. Under the new framework, workers could be allowed to work 10 hours a day and 48 hours a week with a maximum of 12 hours of work, including overtime every state Labour Department conducted a consultative meeting on Wednesday with members from both the industry and labour unions to discuss the amendments. Though the government contends that the reforms will ease processes for small businesses, such as record-keeping and certification, the action has been sharply criticised by workers' groups, especially in the technology sector. Trade unions, spearheaded by the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU), have denounced the draft amendment, cautioning that it will have disastrous implications for employee well-being. "The government is trying to make inhuman conditions the norm. This amendment is not for productivity—it's to appease corporate honchos by reducing human beings to machines," stated Suhas Adiga, KITU leader, reported The Hindu. advertisementThe union has termed the move a move towards "modern-day slavery" and has appealed to workers in all sectors to organize against the move. KITU has threatened that the extension of the legal workday to 12 hours would open the way for a two-shift system, which could result in huge layoffs. "The change would legalise 12-hour shifts and enable a two-shift structure, potentially wiping out one-third of the workforce," the union government's push comes amidst wider national labour reforms. Between 2019 and 2020, the Union government enacted four Labour Codes with a view to consolidating and updating India's labour laws. These codes provided states with an opportunity to decide on the thresholds for work hours, leading to various states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand enacting identical legislation increasing work-hour watchers opine that Karnataka's vibrant information technology industry has much to gain if the amendment materialises. Longer hours might provide IT companies with greater flexibility in their operations and easier synchronisation with international time zones, they labour activists caution that business gains perceived here have a cost to workers' psychological and physical health. KITU and other trade unions are calling on the government to revisit the proposal and open a wider, more open discussion that includes employees from across all industries. "It's not only a labour issue; it's a human issue. The priority should be to maintain dignity and ensure work-life balance," Adiga Labour Department has made no official comment after Wednesday's meeting, and the draft amendment has not been brought to the legislature. But signs of unrest imply that any move to implement such far-reaching changes without broader consultation would be likely to spark mass protests and industrial action in the state.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
'Modern-day slavery': Trade unions slam Karnataka's proposal to increase working hours in IT, other sectors
A day after word emerged that the Karnataka government is considering a sweeping reform of labour laws that could extend the duration of the state's maximum workday and significantly increase the cap on overtime, several trade unions have voiced strong opposition, calling it 'modern-day slavery', as reported by news agency PTI. READ | Karnataka government proposes 10-hour workdays, higher overtime cap: Report The move raised eyebrows among worker unions and policy experts alike. On Wednesday, the state Labour Department held a meeting with industry representatives and union leaders to discuss a proposed amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act. This amendment would reportedly allow for 12-hour workdays. In this light, the union urged employees across the IT sector to stand together and push back against the change, warning that it could seriously harm work-life balance and threaten job security. READ | 'Building the Bengaluru of tomorrow': DK Shivakumar on Greater Bengaluru project KITU noted that its leaders, Suhas Adiga and Lenil Babu, attended the meeting. The union pointed out that current laws cap daily work at 10 hours, including overtime, and claimed the proposed amendment would legitimize 12-hour shifts and pave the way for a two-shift system — potentially cutting the workforce by a third. '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 said, as quoted by the agency. READ | Bengaluru: BMTC plans non-AC express bus service with fewer stops to cut commute time According to KITU, this proposal places corporate interests above employee welfare and infringes on workers' basic rights. The union also raised concerns about mental health, referencing the "State Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024," which found that 90 per cent of corporate employees under the age of 25 experience anxiety. (With PTI inputs)
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka government proposes 10-hour workdays, higher overtime cap: Report
The Karnataka government is considering a sweeping reform of labour laws that could extend the state's maximum workday to 10 hours and significantly increase the cap on overtime, moves that are raising eyebrows among worker unions and policy experts alike, Deccan Herald reported. According to the draft proposals, the state aims to amend both the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, and the corresponding Rules of 1963, the report further added. (Also Read: DK Shivakumar appeals for calm after SC order on Thug Life: 'Don't take law into your hands') Currently, the law limits daily work hours to nine and restricts overtime to 10 hours in total. But under the proposed revisions, the daily work limit would rise to 10 hours, with overtime extending up to 12 hours per day. More strikingly, the three-month overtime cap could increase from 50 to 144 hours. More strikingly, the three-month overtime ceiling could be increased from 50 to 144 hours. The Labour Department has justified the changes by citing directives from the central government encouraging states to align with the national model labour codes. Officials also argued that several state, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand, have already adopted similar provisions, setting a precedent for Karnataka to follow suit. In addition to altering work hours, the state is also looking to ease regulatory requirements for smaller establishments. Amendments to Rule 24 of the 1963 Rules would exempt businesses with fewer than 10 employees from maintaining records, registers, and other compliance documentation typically required during labour inspections. This, too, is being attributed to central guidance, which recommends exempting units with under 20 employees. Industry groups have welcomed the proposal. MG Balakrishna, president of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FKCCI), hailed the reforms as both business-friendly and reflective of a younger, more dynamic workforce. "Longer hours can drive productivity, which is critical for staying competitive globally," he said. He also stressed that easing compliance norms for micro-establishments would help prevent bureaucratic harassment. However, the move has sparked strong opposition from labour unions. Maitreyi Krishnan, state general secretary of the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), called the proposals 'unconstitutional' and accused the government of turning its back on the Directive Principles of State Policy. 'It's ironic that Karnataka is using states like Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh as benchmarks,' Krishnan said. 'These are the very states whose workers are migrating to Karnataka in search of better conditions. If we follow their lead, we risk driving our own workforce away.' The Labour Department is scheduled to hold consultations with stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, and union representatives, on Wednesday to deliberate on the proposed changes and possibly finalise the draft. (Also Read: In mysterious discovery, human skull, bones found near Bengaluru apartment complex)
