Karnataka IT Employees Union launches campaign against extension of working hours

On July 22, KITU conducted street campaigns and gate meetings in 29 locations, including in front of tech parks and IT firms

Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees' Union (KITU) on July 22 staged a campaign in front of tech parks against the proposal to increase the working hours of employees.

On July 22, KITU conducted street campaigns and gate meetings in 29 locations, including in front of Accenture's office in Koramangala, IBC Knowledge Park on Bannerghatta Road, and Bosch Global Software Technologies in Adugodi.

The state government is considering amending the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961. According to the proposal, an "employee 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."

Also, read: Karnataka IT Employees Union opposes proposal to extend working hours

KITU stated they will hold similar campaign meetings in front of more tech firms and tech parks in the coming days. Suhas Adiga, General Secretary of KITU, said: "The amendment doesn't have an upper cap for the number of hours. Several studies have shown the harmful effects of long working hours."

KITU and the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) oppose the proposal to extend the working hours of employees in the IT/ITES/BPO sector.

Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad on July 22 said that IT industries are pressuring the government to extend working hours.

"The proposal is from the IT industries, but the labour department is evaluating it. IT industries proposed this and are pressuring the government, but we want all industries to discuss this with us," he told reporters.

Also, read: Karnataka labour minister: IT industries pressuring govt to extend working hours

Meanwhile, Ashish Aggarwal, Vice President & Head of Public Policy at the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), said in a statement: "As Nasscom, we have not requested a 14-hour workday limit or a 70-hour workweek. We have not seen the copy of the Bill in Karnataka, so cannot comment on it. We fully support the 48-hour workweek, which is the standard across the country".