On August 3, the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) protested at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park against the proposed extension of working hours. Manjunath G, Additional Commissioner of the Labour Department, assured protestors that their demands would be considered after receiving opposition documents.
The state government’s controversial proposal aims to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, allowing companies to increase overtime by 3 hours, totaling 12 hours a day, while maintaining basic working hours at 9 hours. This move is intended to boost Karnataka’s share of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India from 45% to 50%, with a cap of 125 overtime hours over three months to limit extended shifts.
Suhas Adiga, General Secretary of KITU, condemned the proposal as an attack on workers’ personal lives and vowed strong resistance if it proceeds. An anonymous protestor warned that Bengaluru could lose its IT hub status if the law is enacted.
KITU has been mobilizing through street campaigns and protests, including a significant demonstration on July 22 at 29 locations. Other unions, like the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), have also opposed the proposal, highlighting that IT companies do not pay overtime.
Amid backlash, IT Minister Priyank Kharge clarified on July 24 that the rule extension would not apply to all companies but to sectors requiring longer hours. Nasscom stated it did not request such an increase.