Karnataka government plans to increase working hours for IT workers to 14 hours per day

The Karnataka government is planning to increase working hours for IT workers to 14 hours per day.

The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) posted on X: “Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) calls upon all the IT/ITeS sector employees to come in resistance against the Karnataka Government move to increase the working hours in IT/ITES/BPO sector to 14 hours a day. #14hrWorkingDay.”

If the new step is implemented then it will hit Bengaluru, India’s Silicon Valley.

Bengaluru is Karnataka’s state capital and considered as the IT hub of India.

Last year, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy triggered a debate after he said India’s work culture needs to change and youths should be ready to work for 70 hours per week.

According to sources, the state government is considering amending the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961. The IT companies want their proposal to be included in the amendment, which would legally extend work hours to 14 hours (12 hours + 2 hours of overtime), reported India Today.

The Karnataka government on Wednesday paused a bill directing private firms in the state to reserve jobs for Kannadigas.

The bill, cleared recently, requires firms in India’s IT capital to prioritise local hires for 70 percent of non-management roles and 50 percent of management-level jobs.

“The bill intended to implement reservation for Kannadigas in private sector institutions, industries and enterprises is still in the preparation stage. A final decision will be taken after comprehensive discussion in the next cabinet meeting,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has posted on X.