New Delhi, July 22: The Karnataka government is reportedly considering a proposal to extend work hours for IT employees by amending the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961. The proposal has sparked opposition from the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) and National Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), which represents the Pune-based IT industry body.

As per a report of Money Control, NITES opposes Karnataka's proposed IT work hours extension in a letter to the Labour Ministry, highlighting the negative effects on IT employees. NITES, along with KITU, has also expressed its opposition and emphasised the importance of safeguarding the rights and welfare of IT workers in Karnataka. Karnataka: 14-Hour Shift for IT Workers Likely As Government Considers Proposal To Extend Working Hours, IT/ITeS Employees Union Calls Move ‘Attempt To Impose Slavery’.

What Is the Proposal for IT Employees in Karnataka and Why They Are Opposing It

The Karnataka government is reportedly considering a proposal to extend the working hours for employees in the IT/ITeS/BPO sectors to 14 hours per day and 70 hours per week. The new proposal would allow employees to work over 12 hours in a single day, but not exceed 125 hours over three consecutive months. The proposed bill, "Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Amendment Bill, 2024," considering to make a 14-hour workday as standard.  The change may result in companies switching from a three-shift system to a two-shift system. Currently, the law permits a maximum of 10 hours of work per day, including overtime.

Both KITU and the Pune-based IT industry body NITES oppose the amendment. They argue that it would normalise excessively long workdays and change the current law that limits work to 10 hours per day, including overtime. NITES has even warned of a nationwide strike if the proposal is adopted, while KITU has reportedly called the proposal inhuman and harmful to workers' health. Job Creation in India: Indian Manufacturing Sector Booming, Creating More Job Opportunities Than Ever, Says Report.

As per reports, Harpreet Singh Saluja, the President of NITES mentioned that employees in Bengaluru and other places already spend around three hours commuting every day. If the work hours are extended, it would negatively impact the employees. NITES wrote in the letter to the labour ministry stating "We vehemently oppose any such amendment and wish to vehemently express our strongest dissent." NITES and KITU urged the government to reconsider its proposal that could impact two million IT/ITeS workers in Karnataka. The Labour Minister reportedly has agreed to further discussions before making a final decision.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2024 09:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).