IT firms in Karnataka have proposed an extension of work hours for employees, seeking to increase the maximum permissible daily work time from 12 hours to 14 hours. This proposal, reported by India Today, aims to incorporate the change into the revised Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961. The proposed amendment would allow for a legal extension of work hours to 14 hours, comprising 12 hours of regular work and two hours of overtime. The state government is currently considering this amendment.
The new proposal states that “Employees in the IT/ITeS/BPO sector may be required or allowed to work more than 12 hours a day and not exceeding 125 hours in three continuous months.” This proposed change has sparked strong opposition from the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU). The union expresses concern that the amendment could lead to a shift from the current three-shift system to a two-shift system, potentially resulting in job losses for one-third of the workforce.
KITU argues that the amendment would allow companies to adopt a two-shift system, eliminating the need for a third shift and leading to significant job cuts. This opposition comes at a time when Karnataka is grappling with a contentious job reservation bill, aimed at providing quotas for Kannadigas in private sector organizations. The bill, passed by the state cabinet, has faced severe criticism from industry leaders. After a day of heated debates and backlash, the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Office announced that the bill will be reviewed, with a decision expected in the coming days.
The proposed work hour extension and the job reservation debate highlight the complex challenges faced by the IT industry in Karnataka, balancing economic growth with the concerns of employees and the broader social landscape.
