14-hour workday for IT employees, Karnataka proposes

14-hour workday for IT employees, Karnataka proposes

KAKALI DAS

The techies in Karnataka might soon face a 14-hour workday if the state government proceeds with its plans. This proposal is both outrageous and dangerous.

And this is the second misstep from the same team. Last week, they were in the news for proposing job quotas in the private sector. The Karnataka state government sought to establish reservation for Kannadigas, meaning local candidates would be given primary consideration in private sector employment according to the bill.

However, the bill faced strong backlash and had to be shelved. Now, they are proposing a 14-hour workday—equating to a 70-hour work week—for those in the tech sector, specifically in IT and ITES (Information Technology and Information Technology Enabled Services), which includes back office and customer support roles.

They may be required to work 14 hours a day, which is a prime example of inhumane working conditions and, unsurprisingly, violates international regulations. The International Labour Organization recommends a 9-hour workday.

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Indians already face challenging work conditions, with an average workweek of 48 hours, making us the fifth most overworked country in the world. Now, Karnataka is proposing to increase this by adding 22 more hours per week.

Is this even legal? Technically, yes. In India, each state has its own regulations regarding work hours. In Karnataka, these regulations are governed by the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act.

This Act permits a maximum of 10 hours of work per day, including overtime. The government now wants to amend this Act. While it’s currently just a proposal, the idea of normalizing a 14-hour workday has already sparked significant controversy.

Perhaps the only person embracing this idea is Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of IT giant Infosys. Last year, he suggested that young workers should put in 70-hour workweeks, which sparked a significant debate. Incidentally, Infosys is headquartered in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka and India’s Silicon Valley, which is home to about 2 million IT workers. Many of these workers are unhappy with the 70-hour workweek proposal.

IT sector unions are up in arms, labelling it “the biggest attack on the working class in this era.” They have called for a nationwide strike in response.

The workers’ opposition is understandable, and science supports their concerns. Working 55 hours or more negatively impacts health, so a 70-hour workweek would likely have even worse effects. There are significant mental, physical, and emotional health implications.

According to the World Health Organization, working long hours contributes to 750,000 deaths annually from stroke and heart disease. Karnataka’s IT sector is already grappling with these issues, with reports indicating that 45% of employees suffer from depression and 55% face physical health problems.

A 70-hour workweek will have ripple effects, particularly worsening gender equality. Women already perform more unpaid labour at home and may struggle to commit to 14-hour workdays. This could push them out of the formal job sector.

Has the Karnataka government considered all these factors? If not, they should.

They should also consider examples from other countries. In China, the “996” schedule—working from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week—has led to widespread protests. Similarly, in Japan and South Korea, overwork has resulted in deaths that surpass those from diseases like malaria and cancer. The term “Karoshi” is even used to describe death by overwork in these countries.

Chronic stress, commonly linked to long work hours, can weaken the immune system, increase susceptibility to illness, and elevate the risk of developing chronic health conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

Moreover, prolonged work hours can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and emotional distress.

Additionally, extended periods of sitting can pose several health risks, especially for those in desk-based jobs. Prolonged sitting increases the likelihood of developing varicose veins, characterized by enlarged, swollen veins in the legs, and can also result in muscle stiffness, fatigue, and poor posture.

For individuals in desk-based occupations, extended computer use can negatively impact eyesight. Prolonged screen time can strain the eyes, leading to blurred vision, headaches, and dryness. Additionally, it can contribute to increased stress and anxiety.

The debate over 70-hour workweeks often centres on differing views regarding productivity and personal well-being. Proponents argue that longer work hours are directly linked to increased output. However, critics assert that productivity declines beyond a certain point, and that mandating excessive hours ultimately reduces efficiency and increases the likelihood of errors.

Longer hours do not necessarily lead to increased productivity. In fact, they can have the opposite effect. Extended work hours can impair judgment, reduce output levels, and hinder interpersonal communication, making workers more prone to mistakes.

Research shows that 95% of workers experience a drop in performance without adequate rest. The evidence is clear. As we’ve said before, each person has a different threshold and motivation for work; if you enjoy it, it may not even feel like work. However, this cannot be institutionalized.

Globally, companies and individuals are striving for work-life balance. Karnataka should not head in the opposite direction and jeopardize the advantage and goodwill its IT industry has built over the years.

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