IT employees in Bengaluru protest against long work hours, demanding the right to disconnect and legal safeguards for a healthy work-life balance.
HEADLINE
‘WE ARE NOT YOUR SLAVES’ HUNDREDS OF IT EMPLOYEES PROTEST AGAINST TOXIC WORK CULTURE, SEEK LEGAL SAFEGUARDS
SUMMARY
Hundreds of IT workers met at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park on March 9, seeking enforcement of work-hour restrictions and legal safeguards against demands for after-work hours. The protest was organized by the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees’ Union (KITU) and pointed out the negative effect of long work hours on employees’ mental well-being and personal lives. Protesters also demanded withdrawal of the IT industry’s exemption from major labor laws.
KEY ASPECTS
- IT employees protested against long working hours and the need to be available after work.
- Following legislative shields in countries such as France, Australia, and Spain, the right to disconnect was demanded by protesters.
- KITU called for the exemption of the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act for IT businesses to be revoked.
- In a symbolic protest over their comments about extended work hours, Narayana Murthy’s and SN Subrahmanyan’s effigies were nearly set on fire.
- A minor conflict resulted from police intervention, but the protest went on without incident.
LEGAL PROVISIONS
- Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946: Prescribes employment conditions, which do not apply to IT/ITeS firms now.
- Factories Act, 1948: Requires an 8-hour working day, but IT companies mostly avoid these standards.
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 24): Establishes the right to rest and leisure.
- Right to Disconnect Laws in France, Spain & Australia: Grant employees legal protection from after-hours work requests.
IMPACT
- Widespread labor law infractions in the IT industry were highlighted by the protest.
- brought attention to the unequal load placed on women, many of whom are compelled to leave their jobs because of unreasonable demands.
- could encourage the government to reevaluate labor law exemptions for the IT sector.
- increased solidarity among workers in support of equitable labor practices.
WHY IT MATTERS
Information technology Even after being one of the biggest business providers in India, still the employees have to bear such terrible working conditions, and they do not have work-life balance. Internationally as well, the Right to Disconnect and work-life balance are major concerns and reasons for the protest and its legal protections worldwide. Government intervention is becoming really necessary. Toxic workplace cultures could become normal, which would eventually damage worker productivity and well-being.
Source: KARNATAKA STATE IT/ITeS EMPLOYEES UNION
Also Read: SHREYA SINGHAL vs. UNION OF INDIA: SUPREME COURT RULING ON SECTION 66A OF IT ACT
