The Karnataka government is proposing an amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act (KSCEA) that would extend IT employees’ working hours from 10 to 14 per day. This move has drawn strong criticism from IT unions, who label it as “inhuman.”
Protest By Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU)
In the wake of backlash over the reservation bill, the Karnataka government is poised to amend existing regulations to increase the daily working hours for IT employees from 10 to 14. This change has sparked a fierce response from IT unions, who argue that it is “inhuman.”
Currently, the law allows for a maximum of 10 working hours per day, including overtime. The proposed amendment would enable IT companies to extend working hours indefinitely, potentially shifting to a two-shift system and displacing a significant portion of the workforce, according to Suhas Adiga, General Secretary of the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU).
Adiga warned that the amendment would exacerbate existing health issues among IT workers, citing studies that show 45% of employees in the sector suffer from mental health issues like depression, and 55% face physical health impacts. He pointed to a WHO-ILO study linking longer working hours to increased risks of stroke and heart disease.
This proposed amendment follows recent criticism of the Karnataka government’s requirement for IT companies to prioritize local hires for 70% of non-management and 50% of management positions. The bill related to local hiring has been put on hold for now.
Social Media Reaction:
Online users are condemning the government for its perceived lack of empathy towards workers.
One user wrote, “Why is the government interfering in the working hours of private employees? Let companies decide for themselves.”
Another user commented, “Resist this at any cost.”
A third user replied, “Is Narayan Murthy advising the government on this?”
A fourth user wrote, “If working hours increase, will salaries also go up? Only with a salary increase would my taxes increase, benefiting the state.”