Big News for IT Sector! This state government is planning to increase wokring hours for employees: Report
Government of Karnataka is reportedly planning to amend existing labour laws to increase daily working hours for IT sector employees, reported the Deccan Herald and India Today. This amendment new working hours for IT (Information Technology) sector employees will be 10 hours daily. The move has triggered strong opposition from respective employee unions, citing employees’ health, employee rights, and work-life balance.
Current Employee Laws in Karnataka State
At present, under Section 7 of the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, employees can work a maximum of nine hours per day, with a cap of 10 hours of overtime every three months. The total overtime in this period cannot go beyond 50 hours.
However, under the new proposal by the Karnataka State Government, this would allow employees a 10-hour workday and increase the permissible overtime to 12 hours per day, totaling up to 144 hours in three months.
Similar Move in Andhra Pradesh State
The Karnataka government’s proposal follows a similar decision that was taken by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, where the TDP-led NDA government recently allowed companies to increase the daily working hours from nine to 10. On June 18th, 2025, the Karnataka state Labour Department held a meeting with representatives from the industry and trade unions to discuss the possible amendment to the law.
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Andhra Pradesh’s Information and Public Relations Minister, K Parthasarathy, said that the state wants to make labour laws more friendly for both workers and companies. He also said that women, who were earlier not allowed to work at night, can now do so with certain safety rules like consent, transport, security, and proper lighting at the workplace.
The minister added, “When you work extra, income will increase. By these rules, women can work in the formal sector. They empower women economically and promote gender inclusion and industrial growth.”
Opposition from Employee Trade Unions
Karnataka State Government’s proposal has received strong opposition from employee trade unions. Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) condemned the move, stating it as “modern-day slavery.” Union leaders warned that legalizing 12-hour shifts would allow companies to exploit employees, which would put their mental health at risk, and potentially lead to layoffs if companies adopt a two-shift model.
Citing the 2024 State Emotional Wellbeing Report, which showed that 90% of corporate workers who are under the age of 25 suffer from anxiety. KITU also stated that the government should prioritize employee well-being rather than increasing working hours.
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While discussions between the government, unions and concerned authorities have made it clear that they will continue to oppose any move that reduces job security or increases working hours for employees in the tech sector.
