IT Professionals Protest Against The 14-Hour Work Day Proposal In Karnataka

In July 2024, Karnataka's state labour minister, Santosh Lad, proposed the controversial Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aimed to extend the standard 8-10 hour workday to 14 hours. This proposal, intended to boost economic growth, faced widespread criticism from employee unions and women’s rights organizations. IT professionals in Bangalore protested, arguing that the extended hours would lead to exploitation, particularly of women, who already face disproportionate domestic responsibilities. The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Union (KITU) condemned the bill as inhumane, while the All India IT & ITeS Employees’ Union (AIITEU) demanded fair wages and capped working hours. Critics also warned that the proposed changes would harm workers' well-being, disrupt work-life balance, and exacerbate health issues. The bill was seen as a step backward in labor rights, ignoring the global trend toward shorter workweeks to enhance productivity and worker satisfaction.