Karnataka IT Companies Propose 14-Hour Workday Including Overtime Amid Union Resistance

Jul 21, 2024, 04:57 AM

The Karnataka government is considering a proposal from IT companies to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, to extend the working hours of IT employees to 14 hours per day, including 12 hours of regular work and 2 hours of overtime. This proposal has been met with significant resistance from the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union and other trade unions, who have called the move inhumane. The government has held an initial meeting on the matter, and the proposal is likely to be discussed by the Cabinet soon. The unions are urging the government to reconsider the proposed extension of working hours.