In a move set to stir debate within India’s thriving technology hub, the Karnataka government has put forth a proposal to extend the permissible working hours for employees in the IT, ITES (Information Technology Enabled Services), and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) sectors to 12 hours a day.
The proposal, discussed during a recent meeting with various industry stakeholders, aims to amend the existing Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act. Currently, the Act restricts daily working hours to a maximum of 10 hours, a limit that includes any overtime. The proposed amendment would significantly alter the operational framework for companies within these critical sectors.
“This amendment 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,” the Karnataka State IT/ITES employees union said.
“This amendment shows that the Government of Karnataka is unwilling to recognise workers as human beings who require personal and social lives to survive. Instead, it views them merely as machines to increase the profits of the corporates it serves,” it added
The initiative comes amidst ongoing discussions about workforce flexibility and productivity, particularly in the context of global competition and the evolving demands of the technology industry. However, the proposition has already drawn criticism from employee representatives. The Karnataka State IT/ITES Employees Union has publicly voiced its opposition to the proposed change, raising concerns about its potential impact on employee well-being, work-life balance, and overall working conditions.
This development sets the stage for further discussions between the government, industry bodies, and employee unions as stakeholders navigate the implications of extending work hours in one of the state’s most vital economic sectors.
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