Karnataka IT firms propose 14-hour workday, Netizens say 'totally inhumane'

Karnataka's IT firms recently submitted a proposal to the state government, demanding an extension of employee working hours to 14 hours per day (including overtime).

According to the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU), the state government is planning to raise the IT staff's working hours to 14 hours per day.

KITU said that the proposal to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act to facilitate a 14-hour working day was presented in a meeting called by the labour department with various industry stakeholders.

If implemented, the extended working hours—70 hours per week—will have the biggest impact on Bengaluru.

"The proposed new bill, 'Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2024,' attempts to normalize a 14-hour workday. The existing act only allows a maximum of 10 hours of work per day, including overtime, which has been completely lifted in the current amendment. It will enable IT/ITES companies to extend the daily hours of work indefinitely," the Union said in a statement.

Impact on employees

KITU described the amendment as the "biggest ever attack on the working class in this era," and 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 thrown out from their employment.

During the meeting, which was also attended by Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh S Lad, KITU highlighted studies on the health impact of extended working hours among IT employees.

"As per the report of KCCI, 45% of employees in the IT sector are facing mental health issues such as depression and 55% facing physical health impacts. Increasing working hours will further aggravate this situation," it said.

"This amendment comes in a period when the world starts to accept the fact that increased working hours are negatively impacting productivity and more countries are coming with new legislations to accept the right to disconnect as a basic right of any employee," the Union said.

Netizens reaction

Meanwhile, the proposal has led to outrage from employees and netizens, who called it inhuman, citing health issues and layoff concerns.

"The request by the IT firms in Karnataka to extend the working hours to 14 hours per day should be dismissed by the govt. It's totally inhumane, and everyone should oppose it," wrote Derin J Tom (@derinjtom) on X.

"This plea also means that the companies want to cut off jobs and have their employees log in to work only for two shifts."

"Extending employee working hours to 14 hours? IT firms in Karnataka, think again!" another wrote.