Karnataka's “12‑Hour Workday” Proposal Sparks Outrage Among Tech Workers

BENGALURU, June 19, 2025 

A bold proposal by the Karnataka government to extend daily working hours in the IT, ITeS and BPO sectors from nine to an alarming twelve has triggered a fierce backlash. The move, which also seeks to raise permissible overtime to 144 hours over three months, has been decried by trade unions as a form of “modern‑day slavery.”

The amendment under review

Officials from the Karnataka Labour Department recently convened a meeting with industry stakeholders in Bengaluru to discuss amendments to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, including accompanying rules from 1963. The proposed change would formally increase the standard workday:

• From 9 to 10 hours

• With an additional 2 hours of daily overtime, making a total of 12 permissible hours

• Quarterly overtime cap rising from 50 to 144 hours

These adjustments mirror labour-law relaxations already rolled out in several other states—Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, UP, Uttarakhand, and Andhra Pradesh—with the aim of boosting ease of doing business.

Opposition from unions

The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has been leading the resistance. A formal submission to the state government described the proposed amendments as an “inhuman attempt to impose modern‑day slavery”

KITU General Secretary Suhas Adiga accused the government of “attempting to normalise inhuman conditions” designed not for productivity, but for the benefit of corporate bosses.

At the June 18 meeting chaired by the labour commissioner, KITU delegates including Adiga, President VJK Nair, and Secretary Lenil Babu voiced stern criticism. They warned that:

• A shift from the existing three‑shift model to a two‑shift system could cause layoffs of up to one‑third of the current workforce—potentially affecting around 200,000 employees in Bengaluru’s IT/ITeS sector.

• Longer shifts would inflict serious harm on employees' mental and physical health, fueling burnout and anxiety. Citing the State Emotional Well‑Being Report 2024, KITU highlighted that 90% of corporate employees under 25 are already battling anxiety.

A representative from the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Maitreyi Krishnan, echoed the sentiment, saying union members were in “complete opposition” and that evidence from global studies shows overwork leads to ailments, including heart attacks and higher suicide risk.

Government’s justification

Labour Minister Santosh Lad clarified that the amendments were prompted by directives from the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, aimed at simplifying labour norms and boosting investor confidence. He noted that the final version will only be unveiled after thorough consultations.

State Secretary Rohini Sindhuri Dasari is reportedly holding a series of stakeholder meetings, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has indicated that any decision would rest with his cabinet.

According to government sources, the changes are intended to modernize record‑keeping procedures and grant employers in smaller outfits—those with fewer than ten workers—greater flexibility. The government also believes that longer workdays might enhance connectivity for project‑based firms, making local operations more appealing to global clients.

Public response and social media

As news spread, tech professionals, activists, and everyday citizens took to social media to voice opposition—often adding a sharp dose of satire. A flood of memes labelled the proposal “Narayana Murthy hours,” a reference to Infosys co‑founder’s past comments endorsing a 70‑hour workweek for youth.

A popular post summed up the mood:

“This means 10‑hour billable + 1‑hour lunch + 3‑hour traffic + 1 to 2 hrs extra free work… what is left to take care of themselves and family?”.

Exploring the impacts

1. Job displacement

KITU predicts that a shift to longer hours could push employers to phase out third shifts, resulting in mass layoffs. An already competitive industry with a 20‑lakh (2 million) workforce cannot easily absorb such losses.

2. Employee well‑being

International research and local reports paint a concerning picture. A recent Global Labour Trends study from the ILO links prolonged work hours to increased burnout, heart disease, anxiety, and depression—conditions already prevalent in India's overstretched tech population.

3. Legal and ethical concerns

Critics argue that the amendment violates global labour norms and undermines human rights. KITU has appealed to the state government to reconsider and align with global trends such as the four-day workweek and the Right to Disconnect movement.

Comparisons with other states

Karnataka's proposal follows Andhra Pradesh’s recent move to allow 10‑hour workdays. Mindful of criticism, AP reportedly took steps ensuring night shift safety for women—including transport and lighting mandates.

In contrast, Karnataka's draft lacks similar safeguards—raising concerns that women in extending shifts may face unsafe conditions without adequate protections.

Voices from Bengaluru’s workplace

Tech employees reached across from major firms in Whitefield and Electronic City express anxiety:

• “We already log 12–14 hours on busy days,” said a mid‑level engineer from a top BPO. “Making it official just removes the last bit of humanity.”

• A Bengaluru‑based sociologist noted, “Stress from unregulated hours can diminish creativity over time—burnt‑out workers aren’t productive.”

What’s next?

KITU has issued a call to action. The union is organizing meetings across tech parks and urging employees to wear black bands as a sign of protest. Talks with lawmakers are also underway.

Government officials maintain no decision has been taken as consultations are ongoing. But if the draft proceeds in its current form, protests may escalate, and legal challenges appear inevitable.

The bigger picture

This clash reflects a broader tension in India's development trajectory. The government’s motivation is clear: attract investment and streamline business rules. But there’s growing public awareness that economic growth must not come at the cost of well-being—a lesson drawn from global experiments with shorter workweeks and employee-centric reforms.

In the post‑pandemic world, work‑life balance has surfaced as a key issue. India’s rapid tech boom is now at a crossroads: pushing for extended hours could backfire, reinforcing burnout, talent attrition, and long‑term stress‑related costs. The outcome of Karnataka’s proposal may well shape how rapidly India can shift from being the “back office of the world” to a source of well‑rounded innovation and sustainable growth.

In Bengaluru and across India, the debate continues: should labour laws bend to business interests, or should human limits define them? As the final draft moves from the Labour Department to the cabinet desk, all eyes are on whether Karnataka will impose longer hours—or respect the boundary between human effort and human erasure.