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Business Standard
2 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.


Time of India
6 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
12-hour shifts for Bengaluru techies? Karnataka govt's proposal sparks outrage among IT unions, who call it 'modern-day slavery'
Representative Image NEW DELHI: The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has called on workers across sectors to resist the state government's proposed move to increase daily working hours in the IT, ITeS, and BPO sectors to 12 hours. Several trade unions on Wednesday voiced strong opposition to the alleged proposal during a meeting convened by the Labour Department to discuss a possible amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act. The amendment reportedly seeks to increase the daily work limit from the current maximum of 10 hours, including overtime, to 12 hours. KITU, which participated in the meeting, described the proposal as a form of "modern-day slavery" and appealed to employees to unite in opposition. It warned that the change would severely impact work-life balance and job security. KITU leaders Suhas Adiga and Lenil Babu were among those who attended the meeting with industry representatives and labour officials. Noting that the law currently allows up to 10 working hours per day including overtime, KITU alleged that the amendment would "legalise 12-hour shifts and facilitate a two-shift system, potentially eliminating one-third of the workforce." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like USDJPY đang đi lên không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The union also claimed that the move prioritises corporate profits over employee welfare. '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 Suhas Adiga. KITU also cited mental health concerns, pointing to the findings of the State Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024, which stated that 90 per cent of corporate employees under 25 suffer from anxiety. The union reiterated its stance that the proposed change undermines workers' fundamental rights and vowed to continue resisting it.


Hindustan Times
11 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)