Karnataka Govt Drops Plan to Extend IT Sector Working Hours
The decision to drop the proposed amendment to The Karnataka government proposed “Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2025” was communicated to the members of Karnataka State IT/ITeS sector in a meeting with Additional Labour Commissioner G. Manjunath.
BENGALURU: The proposal of the Karnataka government to increase working hours in the Information Technology/ Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS) sector from 8 hours/day at present to 14-hours a day has been dropped after the proposal met with stiff opposition from IT employees.
The decision to drop the proposed amendment to The Karnataka government proposed “Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2025” was communicated to the members of Karnataka State IT/ITeS sector in a meeting with Additional Labour Commissioner G. Manjunath.
The Karnataka government proposed “Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2025” which sought to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961 to increase working hours. However, the proposed move to increase working hours was opposed by Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union stating “It was a direct attack on worker’s fundamental right to a personal life.”
The Karnataka government proposed “Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2025” which sought to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961was presented during a stakeholder meeting on June 18 convened by Minister of Labour Santosh Lad. The members of Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union objected to the move of the State Government to increase working hours of IT/ITeS sector.
General Secretary of Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union Suhas Adiga stated “Over the last one-and-half months after the proposal was placed before them, KITU organized widespread protests and continuous campaigns against the proposed Bill.” Adding, he said, owing to the relentless struggle compelled the Karnataka government to retreat from its move to extend working hours.
