Karnataka’s Proposal to Extend Work Hours Raises Concerns Across IT Sector
The Karnataka government recently proposed amending the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, potentially allowing a 12-hour workday for employees in the IT/ITeS and BPO sectors. The draft amendment, discussed in a recent stakeholder meeting convened by the state labour department, aims to enable a two-shift system in IT companies instead of the current three-shift structure. Currently, state regulations cap the workday at 10 hours, including overtime. The proposed changes would permit employers to increase shift durations—a move the government believes may enhance operational efficiency. With AI increasingly automating entry-level roles, and the proposed two-shift system potentially rendering one-third of the workforce redundant, junior-level and contract workers—the most vulnerable segments in the tech industry—stand to lose the most. In a sector already grappling with job insecurity due to automation and global layoffs, this legislative move is adding to the vulnerability. The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU), which participated in the meeting alongside labour department officials, has raised serious concerns regarding the impact of extended working hours on employee health, job security, and quality of life. “The State Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024 revealed that 90% of corporate employees in India under the age of 25 are struggling with anxiety,” KITU general secretary Suhas Adiga said. He also cited recent instances of work-related stress, including the recent suicide of a software engineer in Bengaluru, to underline the potential consequences of such a policy shift. With AI increasingly automating entry-level roles, the proposed shift system may further impact junior-level and contract workers. KITU contends that the amendment could add a new layer of instability to the job market. Meanwhile, an IT employee who requested anonymity spoke about the mental and emotional toll that longer work hours can take. “Twelve-hour days may look efficient on a spreadsheet, but they come at a real human cost. Innovation doesn’t come from exhaustion,” the employee noted, expressing concern about the long-term sustainability of such schedules in knowledge-driven industries. Karnataka’s proposed amendment runs counter to international trends that prioritise work-life balance and mental health. This is not the first time the state government has considered increasing work hours. A similar proposal to introduce a 14-hour workday in 2024 was withdrawn after pushback from employee groups. KITU general convenor Sooraj Nidiyanga told AIM that the union is planning awareness campaigns and protests across major IT parks and corporate campuses in Bengaluru over the coming weeks. “We are hopeful that employee voices will be heard and that the government will take a more inclusive approach,” he said. The state government reportedly said the move is part of a broader national push. “The Union government has directed states to amend working hours limits,” the labour department said in a statement. It added that states like Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have already introduced similar amendments.
The proposed increase in working hours could pave the way for a two-shift system, potentially resulting in mass layoffs across the sector.
The proposed increase in working hours could pave the way for a two-shift system, potentially resulting in mass layoffs across the sector.
["karnataka", "Labour", "Work hours"]
["karnataka", "Go", "programming_languages:R", "AI", "Labour", "innovation", "programming_languages:Go", "automation", "Aim", "Work hours", "R"]
["AI", "Aim", "R", "Go", "automation", "innovation", "programming_languages:R", "programming_languages:Go"]
Merin Susan John is a journalist at Analytics India Magazine, reporting on the intersection of AI and human capital. She can be reached  at merin.john@aimmediahouse.com