Report from correspondent of Workers Unity Movement
Workers Unity Movement joins IT unions and other workers organisations in condemning the Karnataka government’s move to extend daily working hours from 10 to 12 and raise the present limit on overtime work from 50 hours in a period of 3 months to 144 hours. Among other measures, the amendment will allow IT and ITES companies to force women to work during night shifts.
The government is reported to be in talks with businesses and unions to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961 to introduce these and other anti worker measures. The amendment will apply to IT establishments, bars, pubs, restaurants and retail outlets.
As per the present Section 7 of the Act, the working hours per day cannot exceed nine hours and the total hours including overtime cannot exceed 10 hours a day. The Act also puts an upper limit of 50 hours on overtime work over a period of three months.
The representatives of the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) present at the tripartite talks have objected strongly to the proposed amendments while the capitalists have enthusiastically supported the move.
The KITU has pointed out that this proposed amendment, if implemented, will effectively convert the work day from being 8 hours to 12 hours. It will allow the companies to go for a two shift system instead of the currently existing three shift system. It will result in throwing out one section of workers from their existing jobs, while greatly intensifying the exploitation of those workers who retain their jobs.
It is to be noted that pending the notification of the Labour Codes for the whole country, various state governments have moved to enact legislation that will extend the working hours, ban unionisation and strikes. Recently, the TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh decided to raise the maximum working hours from 9 to 10 hours per day “for ease of doing business and attracting investors”.
Workers are not slaves. They sell their labour-power to the capitalists for a fixed length of time every day. The rest of the time belongs to the worker to spend as he or she chooses. A strict limit on the length of the working day is therefore a right which belongs to all workers. This right was won through years of struggle of the working class. An 8-hour working day is a universal right across all sectors and categories of workers.
This right is being blatantly violated in many sectors – both in the organised and in the unorganised/gig sector. Many workers, particularly in sectors where Work From Home is possible, often find themselves forced to work during off hours. A survey conducted by a global job platform found that 88% of Indian employees are contacted by their employers outside of regular working hours, with 85% stating that communication continues even during public holidays or sick leave. Among these workers, 79% expressed concerns that not responding after hours could affect their career progression, including potential missed promotions and damaged reputations.
The government is attempting to normalise inhuman conditions with dire consequences for workers, especially the youth. India ranks very high amongst all countries for deaths linked to overtime, according to a joint study by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). According to another report (“State of Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024”), 90 per cent of workers under 25 suffer from anxiety. Deaths and suicides due to excessive work pressure are becoming common in the IT sector. Knowledge Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)’s recent report highlights that 45% of workers in the IT sector are facing mental pressure and 55% of workers suffer from various physical illness and it cites the work conditions and long working hours as the sole reason for this state of affairs. Increasing working hours will further aggravate this situation.
Workers Unity Movement calls upon all employees across the IT sector to unite and resist the proposed amendments to the labour laws. Workers across all sectors and across the country should unite to condemn such moves of state governments and to fight to maintain their right to an 8-hour working day.