The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) is organizing a large-scale gathering of IT sector employees on March 9, 2024, at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, at 2:30 PM. The rally aims to demand stricter enforcement of labor laws and the elimination of excessive work hours. With the rally’s slogan, “A healthy work-life balance is every employee’s right,” KITU is protesting against the rampant unregulated overtime, lack of adequate compensation for extra work, and the expectation that employees be constantly available outside working hours.
KITU stated in a recent press release that the standard eight-to-nine-hour workday has become largely unrealistic, with employees frequently forced to work beyond official hours, including weekends, without any extra pay. This persistent overwork is taking a significant toll on workers’ mental and physical health, according to the union.
Earlier, on March 13, 2024, KITU submitted a memorandum to the Karnataka Labour Minister, accusing IT/ITES companies of violating overtime wage regulations and extending work hours beyond the legal limits. Despite multiple meetings and protests, the union argues that the government has failed to act decisively to address the issue.
KITU is demanding the enforcement of strict daily working hour limits to prevent overtime abuse, the removal of exemptions granted to the IT sector under the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, and the implementation of the “Right to Disconnect” policy, which would ensure that employees are not expected to be available after official hours.
The union’s call comes in the wake of controversial comments made earlier this year by prominent business figures. L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan advocated for a 90-hour workweek, which KITU condemned as “ruthless and inhuman exploitation.” Similarly, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy had earlier suggested a 70-hour workweek, claiming that such work hours were necessary for the country to become globally competitive.
KITU Secretary Sooraj Nidiyanga emphasized that such proposals are not isolated incidents. He referenced the earlier attempt to implement a 70-hour workweek in Karnataka, which was only halted after resistance from KITU and employees. Some business leaders, including Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra and former HCL CEO Vineet Nayar, have voiced opposition to glorifying long work hours, arguing that productivity should focus on output rather than the number of hours worked.
KITU’s ongoing efforts to protect workers’ rights highlight the growing concerns over employee wellbeing in India’s corporate sector.