Karnataka Proposes 14-hour Workday for IT Employees, Internet Asks 'Inspired By Narayana Murthy?'

IT companies in Karnataka have put forward a request to the state government to extend the working hours to 14 hours. Currently, workers are limited to a maximum of 12 hours, which includes 10 regular hours and 2 hours of overtime, but as per the new proposal, employees who are struggling to maintain work-life balance could be asked to exceed the working hour limit to up to 70 hours per week. As the news of this proposal spread online, it garnered negative reactions from employees, who shared their frustration on social media. Many have criticised the plan as “inhumane”, fearing it could lead to health problems and job cuts.

Meanwhile, not just the workers, the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has also urged the state government to rethink this move, considering the growing stress among the workers. KITU further shared research on how long working hours affect IT employees’ health. Reportedly, IT workers are already struggling with mental health problems, while most experience physical health issues. KITU warned that extending working hours will only make these problems worse.

Meanwhile, many took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticise the government’s 14-hour work proposal. A user wrote, “The Indian billionaires and liberals will then call this modern-day slave labour as ‘Development’.”

Another shared, “Being in Software industry it’s kind of harassment now.”

“Employees’ health and job security must come first. Let’s prioritize well-being over overwork,” a comment read.

Another wrote, “I think it’s best to leave Karnataka if you are non-Kannadiga because things are about to get CRAZY.”

An individual shared, “There is just no way a mentally fit human can expect an employee to work 14 hours a day. Shame on them.”

One more added, “This is so inhumane.”

In a statement, KITU general secretary Suhas Adiga told Moneycontrol, “This amendment will allow companies to adopt a two-shift system instead of the current three-shift system, potentially leading to one-third of the workforce losing their jobs. The Karnataka government, in their eagerness to please corporate interests, neglects the fundamental rights of individuals to have personal and social lives. This amendment shows a disregard for workers as human beings, viewing them only as machinery to increase corporate profits.”

Suhas Adiga argues that the proposal for longer working hours is outdated, especially as many countries recognise that extended work hours can reduce productivity. He highlights that numerous places are enacting laws to guarantee workers’ right to disconnect from work. KITU is urging the government to reconsider its plan, cautioning that it will place undue strain on the 20 lakh IT workers in Karnataka. They are calling on all employees in the sector to unite and oppose this proposal.