Trade unions oppose Karnataka's proposal to increase working hours in IT, other sectors
Bengaluru, Jun 18 (PTI): Several trade unions on Wednesday strongly opposed the Karnataka government's alleged move to extend daily working hours in certain sectors, including IT.
The state Labour Department on Wednesday convened a meeting with the industry representatives and trade union leaders to discuss a proposed amendment to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, which reportedly seeks to increase the daily working hours to twelve.
Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) said it opposed the proposal, calling it a form of "modern-day slavery".
It appealed to all employees across the sector to unite and resist the proposed changes, which it claims would gravely impact work-life balance and job security.
KITU said its leaders Suhas Adiga and Lenil Babu were among those present in the meeting.
Noting that the law permitted a maximum of 10 working hours per day including overtime, KITU alleged that the proposed amendment would legalise 12-hour shifts and facilitate a two-shift system, potentially eliminating one-third of the workforce.
KITU charged that this move prioritises corporate profits over employee welfare and undermines workers’ fundamental rights.
“The government is attempting to normalise inhuman conditions. This amendment is not about productivity—it’s about pleasing corporate bosses by turning human beings into machines,” Adiga alleged.
KITU cited alarming mental health statistics, and said the “State Emotional Wellbeing Report 2024,” found that 90 per cent of corporate employees under 25 suffer from anxiety.
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Five arrested in Kerala's Walayar for beating to death Jharkhand native
Palakkad (Kerala) (PTI): Five people have been arrested for allegedly beating to death a Jharkhand native on suspicion of theft near Walayar here a day ago, police said on Friday.
The arrests were formally recorded late Thursday night and all the accused have been booked for the offence of murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, an officer of Walayar police station said.
The deceased -- Ramnarayan Bhayar (31) -- was working as a labourer in the Walayar area.
According to police, Bhayar was attacked by a group of men on Wednesday evening, alleging that he was involved in a theft at Kizhakeattappallam near Walayar.
As per the FIR, the incident occurred before 7.40 pm, and the injured Bhayar was rushed to the Palakkad District Government Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Police said a detailed investigation was underway to ascertain the sequence of events leading to the incident.
