Karnataka Government Plans To Increase Daily Work Hours To 10

The Karnataka government is considering increasing the daily working hours. The government seeks to increase work hours from 9 to 10, with a maximum of 12 hours a day, including overtime. Under the existing act, daily work, including overtime, cannot exceed 10 hours.

According to a Deccan Herald report, Karnataka also seeks to increase the overtime limit from 50 to 144 hours in three months. The Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, currently puts an upper limit of 50 hours on overtime work for three months. The Karnataka government has made similar attempts before. A proposal in 2024 to impose a 14-hour workday on the IT sector was abandoned following widespread outrage from employees and strong resistance from unions.

On Wednesday, the state Labour Department met with industry representatives and trade union leaders to discuss the proposed amendment. Several trade unions opposed the state government's move. Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) reportedly said it opposed the proposal, calling it a form of "modern-day slavery".