Bengaluru IT sector to face 14-hour work day? Employees' Union expresses opposition
New Delhi: The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has claimed that the state government is planning to increase the working hours of IT staff to 14 hours a day, sparking outrage among employees.
According to KITU, the proposal to amend the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment Act was presented in a meeting called by the labour department with various stakeholders in the industry.
The union has expressed strong opposition to the proposed amendment, stating that it would have a significant impact on the health and well-being of IT employees. Citing studies, KITU said that extended working hours could lead to a higher risk of death by stroke and ischemic heart disease.
The union has urged the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led government to rethink the proposal, warning that any attempt to implement it would be met with resistance from the 20 lakh employees working in the IT/ITeS sector in Karnataka.
Earlier, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy had sparked a debate by suggesting that India's work culture needs to change and that youngsters should be prepared to work for 70 hours a week.
The development comes amid controversy over a bill that required private sector firms in Karnataka to prioritize locals for 70 per cent of non-management roles and 50 per cent of management-level jobs. The bill was paused after outrage followed the announcement.
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Mass funeral of four brothers leaves UAE community in mourning after fatal road accident
Report: Thufail Muhammad Abudhabi
Dubai: The funeral of four young brothers who died in a tragic road accident near Abu Dhabi drew hundreds of mourners to the Al Qusais cemetery on Tuesday evening, leaving the UAE’s expatriate community in deep shock and grief.
The children Ashaj (14), Ammar (12), Azaam (8) and Ayyash (5) were the sons of Abdul Latheef and Ruksana, natives of Kerala’s Malappuram district. The family was returning to their Dubai residence after attending the Liwa Festival on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi when their car met with a fatal accident early Sunday morning.
Three of the children died on the spot, while Azaam succumbed to his injuries on Monday evening during treatment. The family’s domestic helper, Bushra Fayaz (49), also lost her life in the crash. Her body was repatriated to India on Monday night, and funeral rites were held in Kerala on Tuesday.
Abdul Latheef, who sustained injuries in the accident, arrived at the cemetery from Abu Dhabi in a wheelchair, his hand in a sling, to attend the burial of his sons. Mourners described the scene as one of the most heartbreaking they had ever witnessed.
“I have never seen the mass burial of children from the same family. It was devastating for everyone present,” said a social worker who assisted the family.
The couple’s only daughter, Izza (10), survived the accident with minor injuries and is undergoing treatment. Unaware of the loss of her brothers, she was seen playing on a mobile phone from her hospital bed.
Relatives said informing the parents about the tragedy was handled with extreme care. Abdul Latheef was told late on Sunday night, while Ruksana who had undergone surgery for an injury to her hand was informed only on Tuesday after counsellors were brought in to break the news professionally.
Before the burial, the parents were allowed to see their children one last time. Ruksana was taken by ambulance to the mortuary, while Abdul Latheef obtained special permission for temporary discharge from hospital to attend the funeral. Ruksana remained hospitalised with her daughter.
Though the family holds Ras Al Khaimah visas, special permission was obtained to conduct the burial in Dubai, where the family resides and where most relatives are based. Community members expressed gratitude to the Dubai authorities for facilitating the process.
Abdul Latheef runs a business in Ras Al Khaimah, while Ruksana works as a property consultant in Dubai. All five children were students of Arab Unity School in Dubai, following the British curriculum. The school management issued a circular to parents outlining measures to support students and families affected by the tragedy and advising on how to discuss the loss sensitively with children.
The cause of the accident has not yet been officially confirmed by Abu Dhabi Police. Public discussions have pointed to possible factors such as dense winter fog and overspeeding, though authorities are yet to release findings.
