Karnataka Proposes 12-Hour Workdays; IT Unions Slam Move as ‘Modern Slavery’

In a controversial development, the Karnataka government is considering extending daily working hours from the current limit of 10 to 12 hours, alongside a proposal to increase the permissible overtime cap from 50 hours to 144 hours over a three-month period, according to a report by The Economic Times.

The proposal, which is expected to impact a wide range of industries, including the state’s booming IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) sector, has triggered a strong backlash from employee unions and worker rights groups.

IT Unions Raise Alarm: ‘Modern Slavery’

The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has vocally opposed the proposal, calling it “modern slavery” and warning that the move could severely compromise employee well-being.

💬 “This plan prioritizes corporate profits at the cost of worker health, job security, and work-life balance. Such policies will increase burnout and deteriorate mental health across the sector,” KITU said in an official statement.

The union further argued that the proposal would not only erode employee rights but also set a dangerous precedent for the future of India’s knowledge economy, which is already grappling with issues like job insecurity, mass layoffs, and rising mental health concerns.

Proposed Changes: Key Details

• 📌 Extension of Daily Work Hours: From 10 hours to 12 hours per day.

• 📌 Overtime Limit: Increase from 50 hours to 144 hours over a 3-month period.

These changes, if implemented, would significantly alter the current labor framework in Karnataka, which is home to Bengaluru, India’s leading technology hub.

Broader Industry Implications

Industry experts suggest that such policy shifts could affect employee morale and productivity in the long term. While the government may be aiming to attract more manufacturing and global investment by offering flexible labor regulations, critics warn that loosening employee protection norms could harm Karnataka’s reputation as a progressive, employee-friendly IT destination.

The proposal is likely to spark further debate as labor unions, tech workers, and human rights organizations prepare to escalate the issue through protests and policy advocacy.

As of now, the Karnataka government has not made a final decision, and discussions are reportedly ongoing among policymakers, industry stakeholders, and employee representatives.

Growing Concerns Over Work Culture

The debate comes at a time when India’s technology sector is increasingly scrutinizing toxic work cultures, unrealistic deadlines, and long hours, especially after the global shift towards more employee-centric policies post-pandemic.

Unions like KITU emphasize that sustainable growth must not come at the expense of worker dignity and health.