Victory for IT Employees: Karnataka Withdraws Proposal to Extend Working Hours After Union Pushback

Bengaluru: In a significant victory for IT employees and the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU), the Karnataka Government has withdrawn its proposal to increase working hours in the IT and ITeS sector.

The decision comes after sustained protests and widespread employee participation led by KITU, the only registered union representing IT sector workers in the state. The controversial proposal, tabled as part of the draft “Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2025,” aimed to revise the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, allowing an increase in official working hours.

The proposed amendment was introduced during a stakeholder meeting convened by the Labour Department on June 18. KITU representatives strongly opposed the move, terming it an attack on employees’ fundamental right to a personal and family life. The union had also warned that it would launch an intensified agitation if the bill was pushed forward.

Over the past six weeks, KITU organised a series of protests and awareness campaigns across Bengaluru, including demonstrations in IT parks, on public streets, and outside corporate offices. The movement drew large support from IT professionals, many of whom directly participated in union- led actions.

Following this sustained opposition, the government has now formally withdrawn the proposed amendment. Additional Labour Commissioner G Manjunath conveyed the decision during a meeting with KITU office bearers earlier this week.

KITU hailed the withdrawal as a major success for IT workers in Karnataka and thanked employees, central trade unions, civil society groups, and individuals who extended support. “This victory belongs to every IT and ITeS employee who stood together to defend their hard-won rights and work-life balance,” the union said in a statement.