Karnataka IT Union To Protest On March 9 Against Unfair Work Practices

The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has announced a large-scale gathering of IT sector employees at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, on March 9 at 2:30 PM to protest against unfair labour practices in the industry.

Under the theme "A Healthy Work-Life Balance is Every Employee's Right," the demonstration aims to demand stricter enforcement of labour laws and the right of employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

According to the union, many IT employees are forced to work beyond official hours, including weekends, without any overtime compensation. This excessive workload negatively impacts employees' physical and mental well-being and contributes to severe burnout.

Background: Struggle For Fair Working Conditions

In 2024, KITU submitted a memorandum to the Karnataka Labour Minister, accusing IT/ITES companies of violating overtime wage regulations and extending work hours beyond legal limits. Despite multiple protests and discussions, the union claims that no concrete steps have been taken by the government to regulate working hours and safeguard employee rights.

KITU's Key Demands

• Enforcement of working hour limits to prevent excessive overtime and burnout.
• Revocation of IT sector exemptions under the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, which currently allows companies to impose demanding work conditions.
• Strict action against labour law violations to hold companies accountable.
• Implementation of the "Right to Disconnect" policy, ensuring that employers do not expect employees to be available beyond official working hours.

Tech Giants Advocating For Longer Work Hours

The protest comes as controversial statements were made by major industry leaders advocating longer workweeks.
L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan suggested a 90-hour workweek, stating that, "I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy." KITU leaders condemned these remarks as "ruthless and inhuman exploitation."

Similarly, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy previously advocated for a 70-hour workweek, further highlighting the neglect of employee well-being in the industry.

Shocking Findings On IT Employee Burnout

The high-stress work culture among Bengaluru's IT employees is not a recent development. A previous study on employee burnout in the city's IT sector, conducted by Sarmishtha Halder and Dr. J. Gajendra Naidu, revealed alarming levels of workplace stress and an increasingly poor work-life balance.

Work Hours - 40.83 per cent of employees work 10-12 hours daily. Only 32.8 per cent work 9-10 hours, while a mere 2.98 per cent enjoy a standard 7-8 hour workday.

Time Spent with Family - 30.5 per cent of employees get only 4-5 hours with family daily. 22.71 per cent spend just 3-4 hours, while 18.12 per cent manage less than 2-3 hours. In total, 80 per cent of IT employees spend less than 5 hours with their family, despite working tirelessly for them.

Leisure and Personal Time - 47.02 per cent of employees often miss their relaxation time. 28.9 per cent sometimes miss their leisure time. More than 85 per cent of employees suffer from a poor work-life balance.

Although this study was conducted several years ago, the situation has only worsened over time. IT employees continue to struggle with overwork, stress, and exhaustion, making KITU's protest a crucial step in demanding fair working conditions.