Latest news with #KarnatakaShopsandCommercialEstablishmentsAct
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘Narayana Murthy must be dancing': Karnataka's 12-hour workday proposal triggers meme fest
A Karnataka government proposal to increase daily work hours and overtime limits has sparked a wave of online reactions, many of them invoking Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who last year stirred debate by calling for a 70-hour workweek for Indian youth. The state is reportedly considering amendments to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, and the corresponding Rules of 1963, that would push the upper limit on daily working hours from 9 to 10, and allow overtime up to 12 hours in a day. The proposed revisions would also raise the three-month cap on overtime work from 50 hours to 144 hours. While the move is being seen as part of a broader effort to 'ease business operations' in the IT and service sectors, it has drawn sharp criticism from worker unions and civil society groups. (Also Read: Karnataka government proposes 10-hour workdays, higher overtime cap: Report) Online, however, the reactions took a different turn, poking fun at Murthy's earlier controversial remarks. "Narayana Murthy's long-cherished dream has finally come true," quipped one user on X, referencing the Infosys co-founder's earlier pitch for a 70-hour workweek that had triggered national debate. Another user wrote, 'Karnataka should just call them Narayana Murthy Hours,' poking fun at the state's proposal to stretch workdays and overtime limits. A third chimed in, 'He must've been on the board that proposed this,' before clarifying that it was only a joke. Social media platforms were soon flooded with memes, GIFs, and sarcastic posts, including one that read, 'Narayana Murthy side mein naach raha he (Murthy must be dancing on the sidelines),' summing up the online mood. The draft proposal, if passed, would make Karnataka one of the few states to legally allow such an increase in permissible work hours, a move that may have serious implications for labour rights, mental health, and work-life balance in a sector already known for high stress. (Also Read: 'Modern-day slavery': Karnataka trade unions condemn proposal to extend workday to 12 hours)
Hindustan Times
5 hours 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)
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Unions oppose draft bill that raises working hours to 10 a day
1 2 Bengaluru: The labour department's draft amendment to Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, proposing a 10-hour workday, has triggered widespread concern among trade unions and private sector employees across the state. The draft proposes raising the daily work limit from nine to 10 hours, with working hours including overtime increasing to a maximum 12 hours a day. However, the weekly cap remains at 48 hours. Additionally, maximum permissible overtime over any three consecutive months has been raised dramatically from 50 to 144 hours — a staggering 188% increase. The amendment also exempts shops and establishments with fewer than 10 employees from maintaining mandatory registers and displaying the Act in multiple languages, a move criticised for potentially weakening employee rights in smaller workplaces. Trade unions, including Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU), have voiced strong opposition. CITU warned that the amendment could trigger an "unemployment avalanche", estimating job losses between 4.5 and 6.8 lakh in retail, malls, and hospitality sectors. In a memorandum objecting to the proposal, CITU said the amendments would violate international labour laws and would infringe constitutional rights. It forecast a sharp rise in youth unemployment — from 23.7% to 38.2% — if the amendment is implemented. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like I Asked ChatGPT What The Cheapest Car Insurance Is In 2025 - Here's What It Said Smart Lifestyle Trends Learn More Undo The proposed amendment is likely to affect information technology and information technology-enabled services (IT/ITeS) sector as well. Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) said the move will adversely impact some 20 lakh employees of the sector. KITU pointed out that the amendment is likely to result in a two-shift system instead of the existing three and, as a result, one-third of the workforce will be laid off. The union also cited studies which point out the adverse effects long working hours have on mental health of young employees. "This amendment shows that the govt is unwilling to recognise workers as human beings who require personal time and social lives to thrive. Instead, it views them merely as machines to increase profits of firms who employ them," said Suhas Adiga, KITU general secretary. However, labour minister Santosh Lad said the govt is still carefully evaluating the proposal. "These recommendations came from the central govt," Lad said. "The secretary himself met with the chief secretary and submitted recommendations which were forwarded to the state govt." Lad said he will invite representatives of all stakeholders, gather opinions and consult the chief minister and cabinet. "A final decision will be made only after that," he said. On Wednesday, labour secretary Rohini Sindhuri Dasari met with several stakeholders, but reports suggest no consensus was reached.
Mint
13 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Karnataka govt plans to increase daily work hours to 10; ‘modern-day slavery', say trade unions — check details
The Karnataka government is planning to increase the daily working hours to 10 from the current nine hours, besides allowing more overtime hours, by amending the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act 1961, reported The Hindu. Working hours and labour conditions in shops and commercial establishments in the state are governed by the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act 1961. The amendment is aimed at simplifying procedures such as record-keeping and certification, especially for smaller establishments, said the report. In Karnataka, the work hours can be increased to 10 hours a day and 48 hours a week. The total number of hours of work, including overtime, should not be more than 12 hours a day, said the report. If the amendment comes into force, companies in the information technology sector are likely to benefit the most. In 2019 and 2020, the Union government passed four Labour Codes to allow for an increase in working hours. Following this, states of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand passed legislations in this regard. Trade unions on Wednesday strongly opposed the Karnataka government's alleged move to extend daily working hours in certain sectors, including IT. The state Labour Department on Wednesday convened a meeting with the industry representatives and trade union leaders to discuss the proposed amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, which reportedly seeks to increase the daily working hours to 12. Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) said it opposed the proposal, calling it a form of "modern-day slavery". '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,' KITU leader Suhas Adiga alleged. The union 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 security. Noting 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 workforce.
News18
20 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Karnataka Govt Proposes 12-Hour Workdays, Faces Strong Opposition From IT Employee Union
Last Updated: The proposal to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act to facilitate 12-hour working day has been presented in a labour department meeting on June 18. The Karnataka government has proposed to increase daily working hours from nine to 10 hours in the state, and to allow up to 12 hours of work a day, by amending the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961. However, the Karnataka State IT/ ITes Employees Union (KITU) on Wednesday opposed the proposal and called upon 'the entire working class to come in resistance". The proposal, if approved, would also raise the quarterly overtime limit from 50 to 144 hours, according to The Hindu. The development comes days after the Andhra Pradesh government earlier this month made a similar proposal to increase work hours per day from nine to 10 hours. The proposal also faced massive opposition. KITU calls upon the entire working class to come in resistance against the Karnataka Government move to increase the working hours in IT/ITES/BPO sector to 12 hours a day #12hrWorkDay — Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (@kitu_hq) June 18, 2025 The draft amendments, circulated by Karnataka's labour department to stakeholders, reportedly were aimed at aligning state regulations with directions from the Union government. It had asked all states to consider increasing working hour limits. The labour department defended these proposals saying that the Union government has already 'directed" states to amend working hours limits. The department also said similar decision has been taken by Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand also, according to Deccan Herald. Bengaluru, the country's biggest IT hub falls in Karnataka. So, the Karnataka State IT/ ITeS Employees Union on Wednesday strongly opposed the proposal and called upon 'the entire working class to come in resistance against the Karnataka government move to increase the working hours in IT/ITES/BPO sector to 12 hours a day." In a statement, the KITU said, 'The proposed amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act attempts to normalise a 12-hour work day. The existing Act only allows a maximum of 10 hours work per day, including overtime." It said the amendment will allow the companies to go for a two-shift system instead of the currently existing three shift system, and one third of the workforce will be through out from their employment. The KITU said, 'The proposal to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act to facilitate 12-hour working day is presented in a meeting called by the labour department on June 18, with various stakeholders in the industry." The labour secretary and other officials from the Department of Labour attended the meeting, it said. 'KITU representatives strongly raised our opposition to the proposed amendment, which poses an attack on the basic right of any worker to have a personal life," the state IT employees' body said. The Working Hour Debate: Economic Survey, N R Narayana Murthy, L&T Chief Importantly, the pre-Budget Economic Survey 2025 cited studies to state that spending over 60 hours a week on work could have adverse health effects. The survey noted that spending long hours at one's desk is detrimental to mental well-being, and individuals who spend 12 or more hours (per day) at a desk have distressed or struggling levels of mental well-being. The debate on working hours has been going on the for the past few months after Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's suggestion of a 70-hour workweek. Larsen & Toubro Ltd Chairman and Managing Director S N Subrahmanyan also sparked off a raging debate on social media when he said employees should work 90-hour a week, including on Sundays rather than sit at home. However, Subrahmanyan drew criticism from some peers in the business community. RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka said longer working hours was a recipe for burnout and not success. Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra also asserted that the focus should be on the quality of work and productivity rather than the amount of time spent working. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 18, 2025, 16:04 IST News business » economy Karnataka Govt Proposes 12-Hour Workdays, Faces Strong Opposition From IT Employee Union
