Karnataka IT firms propose 14-hour workday, sparking employee outrage
PTC News Desk: According to sources, IT companies in Karnataka proposed to the state government raising the working hours of employees to fourteen hours. Employees fiercely opposed the proposal, calling it inhumane and expressing fears about layoffs and health risks.
There are rumors that the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, may be changed by the state government. The change, which would formally increase work hours to 14 hours (12 hours 2 hours overtime), is what the IT companies want included in it.
The current labor rules allow for a maximum of 12 hours of work (10 hours 2 hours of overtime).
"Workers in the IT/ITeS/BPO sector may be required or permitted to work more than 12 hours a day and not exceeding 125 hours in three consecutive months," according to the latest request from the IT industry.
According to sources, the government has convened an initial discussion about this issue and will shortly make more choices. The Cabinet will probably discuss the suggestion.
STRONG RESISTANCE FROM EMPLOYEES
The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union has strongly opposed the proposal to expand working hours (KITU). In a statement, the union warned that the reduction in working shifts would result in the unemployment of one-third of the workers.
"One-third of the workforce will lose their jobs as a result of this amendment, which will allow the companies to switch to a two-shift system instead of the current three-shift system," it stated.
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The organisation also cited research on the negative effects of long work hours on the health of IT professionals.
"45% of IT workers are dealing with mental health problems like depression, while 55% are dealing with physical health effects, according to a KCCI report. It stated that extending working hours will make the problem worse.
The workers' union asked the Siddaramaiah government to rethink and not carry out the demand made by IT companies, claiming that the state seemed to see workers as nothing more than machines.
"This change demonstrates that the Karnataka government is unable to acknowledge that laborers are human beings who depend on their social and personal lives for survival. Rather, it views them as merely a tool to boost the profits of the corporations it works with," the statement continued.
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- With inputs from agencies
