Overworked and Undervalued: IT Employees Demand Work-Life Balance
Bengaluru: Thousands of IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) employees gathered at Freedom Park on March 9, raising their voices against exploitative work conditions under the banner of the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU). The rally, held under the slogan “A Healthy Work-Life Balance is Every Employee’s Right,” condemned the relentless work pressure imposed by IT companies and demanded immediate regulatory action.
KITU leaders, including General Secretary Suhas Adiga, President Comrade VJK, and Vice President Rashmi Choudhary, addressed the gathering, highlighting the severe impact of excessive working hours on employees’ health.
“It is a well-known reality that the standard eight to nine-hour workday exists only on paper,” said Suhas Adiga. “Employees are routinely forced to work beyond official hours, including weekends, without overtime pay. They are expected to remain available even after working hours, effectively erasing the boundary between their professional and personal lives. This is not just an issue of overwork—it is a violation of basic human rights.”
A Crisis in the IT Industry
The toxic work culture in the IT sector has long been under scrutiny, with multiple studies highlighting its devastating impact on employees’ mental and physical health. Reports indicate that over 70% of IT employees suffer from mental health issues due to excessive workloads, unrealistic deadlines, and the constant expectation of availability.
KITU has been actively pushing for reforms to address these concerns. On March 13, 2024, the union submitted a memorandum to the Labour Minister, demanding an investigation into the non-payment of overtime wages and the illegal extension of working hours beyond statutory limits. Despite a year of multiple meetings and protests, the government has failed to take concrete action, prompting this mass mobilization.
Key Demands
The rally underscored four major demands from IT employees:
- Enforcement of daily working hour limits to prevent excessive overtime and burnout.
- Revocation of the IT sector’s exemption from the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act.
- Strict action against companies violating labor laws.
- Implementation of the “Right to Disconnect” policy, allowing employees to log off from work outside official hours without fear of repercussions.
“The IT sector has long enjoyed exemptions from labor laws, and this has resulted in unchecked exploitation,” said Comrade Rashmi Choudhary. “We demand strict enforcement of labor rights to protect workers from burnout and deteriorating health.”
Mobilization and Growing Resistance
For the past two months, KITU has been organizing IT employees through gate meetings, street campaigns, and awareness drives across Bengaluru, drawing thousands of participants. The momentum culminated in the massive demonstration at Freedom Park, marking a significant moment in the fight for workers’ rights in the IT industry.
“The government can no longer ignore this crisis,” Comrade VJK declared. “If there is no immediate action, we will escalate our struggle until IT employees receive the dignity and rights they deserve.”
As corporate profits soar at the expense of employee well-being, the protest sent a clear message: IT workers will not remain silent in the face of exploitation. The ball is now in the government’s court to ensure strict enforcement of labor laws and protect employees from the increasing toll of overwork.
Statements:
- “The eight-hour workday is a myth in the IT sector. Employees are overburdened, underpaid for overtime, and expected to be available 24/7.” — Comrade Suhas Adiga, KITU General Secretary.
- “The government has ignored our pleas for over a year. If they continue to turn a blind eye, we will escalate our struggle.” — Comrade VJK, KITU President.
- “Mental health issues among IT employees are at an all-time high. We are demanding action before this crisis worsens.” — Comrade Rashmi Choudhary, KITU Vice President.
Key Quotes:
- “A work-life balance is not a privilege—it is a right!”
- “Why should IT employees be excluded from labor protections?”
- “Overtime without pay is nothing less than modern-day exploitation.”
- “The IT industry thrives on burnout culture. This must stop.”
Q&A:
Q: What is the core issue behind the protest?
A: IT and ITeS employees are being forced to work beyond legal limits without additional pay, leading to serious health consequences. The government has failed to enforce labor laws in the sector.
Q: What are the employees demanding?
A: They are demanding work-hour limits, revocation of exemptions from labor laws, strict action against labor violations, and the “Right to Disconnect” policy to prevent work from encroaching on personal time.
Q: Has there been any government response?
A: Despite submitting a memorandum and holding multiple meetings over the past year, the government has taken no concrete action.
Q: What’s next if their demands aren’t met?
A: KITU has warned of escalating protests if the government and IT companies continue to ignore workers’ rights.
Issue:
The unchecked exploitation of IT employees in Bengaluru and across India due to excessive work hours, unpaid overtime, and lack of legal protections. The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) is leading a movement to demand government intervention and enforcement of labor laws in the sector.
Summary of the Pressing Problem:
Thousands of IT employees gathered at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, to protest against excessive work hours, unpaid overtime, and the lack of legal protections in the industry. Led by KITU (Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union), the protest demanded work-hour regulations, revocation of IT sector exemptions from labor laws, enforcement of penalties for violations, and a “Right to Disconnect” policy. Despite repeated efforts over the past year, the government has failed to take action, leading to growing unrest among workers. The protest signals a larger movement for labor rights in India’s IT sector, with KITU vowing to escalate its fight if demands are ignored.
Government’s Response to Protests by KITU:
As of now, there has been no official response from the Karnataka government regarding the recent protests by IT employees demanding stricter enforcement of labor laws and a healthier work-life balance. The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has expressed frustration over the lack of action, stating that despite submitting a memorandum to the Labour Minister on March 13, 2024, and engaging in multiple meetings and protests, no concrete measures have been implemented to regulate working hours and ensure compliance with labor laws.
