'Modern-day slavery': Trade unions slam Karnataka's proposal to increase working hours in IT, other sectors
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)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
42 minutes ago
- News18
BRS leader Rama Rao demands revision of ECI appointment process
Hyderabad, Aug 17 (PTI) BRS Working President K T Rama Rao on Sunday alleged that the Election Commission seems to be functioning as an extended arm of the NDA and demanded revision of the ECI appointment process. Reacting to the EC's press conference, Rao, in a post on 'X', said: 'Today's press conference left us with more questions than answers. Chief Election Commissioner's explanations seem more like excuses than solutions". Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gynaesh Kumar said the electoral roll revision is aimed at removing all shortcomings in voter lists and it is a matter of grave concern that some parties are spreading misinformation about it and 'firing from the EC's shoulder". Kumar sought to demolish 'vote theft' allegations levelled by Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders, citing provisions of the Constitution and clauses of electoral laws. The BRS leader said, 'Yes! We need an SIR! The Special Intensive Revision not of the electoral rolls but of the Election Commission of India itself. The only thing that we clearly now know is that the Election Commission of India (ECI) which is supposed to safeguard the democratic process seems to be functioning as an extended arm of the NDA". Rao said if the ECI acknowledges 'discrepancies" in the voter list, shouldn't they also accept the 'dereliction of their duties?" 'It is high time that we demand a revision not of the voter list but a revision of ECI appointment process…a clinical overhaul of the system so that we can still continue to call ourselves a democracy," he said. PTI VVK GDK VVK KH view comments First Published: August 17, 2025, 22:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
42 minutes ago
- News18
Pak Minister repeats claim without evidence on downing Indian jets
Lahore, Aug 17 (PTI) A Pakistani minister on Sunday repeated Islamabad's earlier claim without providing details of downing six Indian jets during the four-day military conflict between the two sides in May. India's Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, speaking in Singapore on May 31, had flatly rejected as 'absolutely incorrect" Pakistan's claim of bringing down six Indian jets. In his remarks at a seminar, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Islamabad chose not to make any formal announcement on it until 'concrete evidence" is collected. In his comments, Gen Chauhan had said that India suffered losses of aircraft but did not specify the number. India's Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh earlier this month said that India shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and a large aircraft. 'Although the radar data had confirmed the downing of the Indian aircraft, Pakistan chose not to make any announcement until concrete evidence is in hand. We have video footage of all six Indian planes which were shot down," Naqvi said. However, he did not clarify when Pakistan plans to bring forth the evidence publicly. The minister further said during this conflict Pakistan had full knowledge of the enemy's planning like what aircraft they would use. 'Whatever strategy India devised, we learned about it in time," he boasted. He also claimed that none of Pakistan's critical assets were damaged during India's missile attack on its seven airbases. PTI MZ MPB RD RD RD view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Kerala agriculture growth doubles national average, says CM Vijayan
Thrissur (Kerala), Aug 17 (PTI) Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Sunday that Kerala's agricultural sector is on the path of growth and that the state has achieved more than double the national average growth. He was speaking while inaugurating an online state-level celebration of Farmers' Day and the distribution of state farmer awards. 'In the last financial year, while the agricultural sector at the national level recorded a growth of 2.1 per cent, Kerala achieved a growth of 4.65 per cent. The Agriculture Department implemented several measures aimed at increasing farmers' income by 50 per cent. 'A short-term agricultural programme named Mission 2026 and a long-term plan called Mission 2033 have been highly supportive in this effort," the chief minister said on the occasion of the Malayalam New Year, Chingam 1. The state has also been able to implement a comprehensive crop insurance scheme, Vijayan said. He noted that during this government's tenure, paddy productivity had increased to 3,108 kg per hectare, while coconut cultivation achieved 54 per cent growth through the Keragramam project. The procurement of coconuts rose from 6.28 lakh tonne to 17.20 lakh tonne, the CM added. 'To counter climate change and bring changes in value-added production, the state is implementing the KERA Project with World Bank support at a cost of Rs 2,365 crore. The project will directly benefit four lakh farmers and indirectly benefit another 10 lakh farmers," he said. The chief minister added that this was the first major World Bank-supported project for the agricultural sector in 40 years. Vijayan said the agricultural calendar should be adjusted in line with climate change, and the sector should move forward through constructive discussions and innovative farming practices. The government, he said, was looking into combining modern technologies as well. 'More than 150 agritech start-ups have been launched. The government is also making efforts to carry out effective interventions in the value-added products sector. Moving ahead with the goal of branding agricultural value-added products under the motto 'One Krishi Bhavan, One Value-Added Product', over 200 value-added products have been prepared for marketing," he said. The chief minister said curbing the menace of wild animals was indeed essential. 'However, this cannot be fully achieved through the intervention of the state government alone. Timely amendments to central laws are required, and for this the state government is putting pressure on the Centre," he said. In addition, special projects that can be implemented at the state level have also been designed. The CM said the government's aim was to combine traditional farming practices with modern agriculture techinques and put them into practice. State Agriculture Minister P Prasad presided over the function. PTI TGB TGB KH view comments First Published: August 17, 2025, 22:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
