IT trade unions in Karnataka, India, have launched a mass campaign opposing government attempts to increase working hours from a maximum of 10 to 14 per day, calling it a violation of the workers’ right to a decent and healthy life.
The state government plans to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, which currently caps work hours at 10 per day, including overtime. The proposed law would allow IT, ITes (Information Technology Enabled Services) and BPO companies to extend work hours beyond 12 per day, with additional hours not exceeding 125 in three consecutive months.
Sooraj Nidiyanga, secretary of the Karnataka State IT/ITes Employees Union (KITU), the largest union among IT employees in the state, told Peoples Dispatch that the proposed amendments aim to normalize a 14-hour workday, completely lifting restrictions on employers and empowering IT/ITes companies to extend daily work hours as they see fit.
The trade union has called for unity among all IT employees to oppose the move, holding gate meetings and street campaigns. After the state labor ministry invited public opinion on the proposal, KITU urged mass emails to authorities with the subject “I oppose the increase in working hours.”
KITU’s agitation has garnered support from the Center for Indian Trade Unions (CITU), India’s major left-oriented federation of trade unions, and other IT/ITes and BPO employee unions.
The trade union claims that the proposed increase in working hours will worsen unemployment in the crisis-ridden IT job market, as companies will manage with two shifts instead of the current three. The move will also exacerbate health issues among already overworked employees, who are suffering from various illnesses, Sooraj said.
Studies cited by KITU show that 45% of IT/ITes sector employees face mental health issues, and 55% face physical health issues. Quoting World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labor Organization (ILO) studies, KITU claims, “increased working hours will lead to an estimated 35% higher risk of death by stroke and 17% higher risk of dying from ischemic heart diseases.”
Suhas Adiga, general secretary of KITU, stated that, “in their hunger to please their corporate bosses,” the Karnataka government’s decision to increase working hours “completely neglects the most fundamental right of any individual, the right to live.” Adiga also emphasized that longer hours negatively impact productivity and that more countries are recognizing the “right to disconnect” as a basic employee right.
Following widespread opposition, Karnataka labor minister Santosh Lad called for a meeting on July 19, claiming the demand was initiated by the government at the industry’s request and wouldn’t be implemented without consent from everyone involved.
IT Minister Priyank Kharge assured that the rule would not apply to all IT sector companies. “The request [to increase the working hours] came from specific industries like packaging and manufacturing, which have requested the extension. This does not apply to all industries but to some specific sectors and will be implemented after consultation with all stakeholders” Kharge claimed.
Unions have rejected the government’s explanation and demand the proposal be scrapped entirely, warning that not doing so would be “an open challenge” to the over two million IT employees in the state.
The IT industry body National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) denied requesting the extension of working hours and stated it does not support the government’s move.
