On Sunday, hundreds of IT and ITeS employees gathered at Freedom Park in Bengaluru to demand a better work-life balance, calling it “every employee’s right.” The protest, organized by the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU), highlighted the need for the enforcement of existing labour laws in the industry, which employees claim are often disregarded.
According to the union, many employees are expected to work beyond official hours without any additional compensation. Unrealistic deadlines, unpaid overtime, and a lack of regulation have been taking a severe toll on the mental and physical health of the workforce. The protestors cited alarming statistics, including a study showing that over 70% of IT professionals suffer from mental health issues like burnout, chronic stress, and lifestyle diseases.
The protest comes amid proposed amendments to the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, which seeks to increase the maximum daily working hours from 12 to 14 hours. Ram Kumar, a software engineer, expressed concern that if the amendment passes, employees would be forced to work even longer hours without additional pay.
Rashmi Choudhary, vice-president of KITU, added that women, in particular, are being pushed out of the industry due to systemic neglect. “We already work 14-16 hours a day and then return home to unpaid labour. When corporate leaders push for 70-hour workweeks, it normalizes exploitation. If the government doesn’t intervene, this will...
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