IT industry in Karnataka to increase work hours to 14, creates debate

In a recent decision by the Karnataka government, the work hours in IT industry will increase to 14 instead of earlier 10. The Karnataka IT Employees union (KITU) has actively been against the decision of the congress led government. The decision was taken by joint meeting of labor department with other stakeholders. Till now the decision has not been finalized, however in consideration.

If implemented, it will lead to 12 hours of regular employment while 2 hours of overtime.

The employee union has stated the decision as an ‘attempt to normalize slavery’. It has been against the government’s decision as it cites the medical reports stating how 50 percent of the employees in Karnataka poses mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Implementing the policy can further aggregate the situation. Another loophole explained by KITU was that currently companies have 3-shift daily, but if the policy is implemented it could lead to 2 shifts a day. It will mean that the third shift employees will be laid off creating a problem of unemployment. Thus, the IT employee union is urging the government to take back the new policy.

The new policy has been called ‘the biggest roadblock for working class of this time’. Earlier, a popular controversy was created by the Infosys founder Narayan Murthy when he said that the newer generations should be ready for 70 hours a week . This had created backlash then and now the statement has turned into a reality. The new law will be amended under the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act of 1961.

It is no doubt that this new policy will lead to a significant change in system of IT in Karnataka.

About the IT work law

The Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act of 1961is a local act of state of Karnataka. The state also known as the IT hub of nation with a $250 billion industry creates a need for a formal system and policy related to work culture.

This particular act contains the ethics, number of work hours, leave policy and labor laws and under it. The act mandated up to 9 hours a day with not more than 5 hours without a break. It contains the provisions of paid leave, holidays and other benefits to the employees.

Under the new proposed law, the total work hours will be maximum 125 for 3 months and it will apply to only private firms till further guidelines. The union however, is against the proposal.

Side effects of 14 hours a day workload

Working for 40-50 hours a week is more than sufficient for humans- medical studies says. However, with increasing demands of industry and to stay side by side with the growing productivity of globe, we often tend to push ourselves too much. Overworked employees have become a normal thing as supervisors and heads expect them to overtime and increase productivity.

However, we must realize that humans are not capable of doing things like robots and need a suitable employment culture to sustain.

Some ill effects that can occur while working 14 hours a day is-

1. Lesser Productivity: Overworking can of course hamper your productivity. We generally tend to look at quantity over quality however, this is not true. Companies need to realize that working more is not equal to working better.
2. Lack of sleep and feeling irritated: Working more means getting less time to rest which can directly hamper a person’s mood. This can also cause rapid aging in both men and women and mental issues like depression and anxiety.
3. Body pains: A major effect is body pains and joint pains especially in IT jobs where you have to sit on computers for a prolonged period. It can trigger conditions such as migraine and cervical too.
4. Heart attacks and obesity: A direct toll is on the physical health of the workers as well. 14 hours a day leaves no physical time for employees leaving them at a risk for heart diseases and chronic illnesses.
5. No social and family time: Apart from leisure time, a person needs some sort of family time and social time as humans are social animals. If 14 hours a work is normalized it may lead to lesser family relationships in the future.