14-hour work day not our idea, IT industry exerting pressure: Karnataka labour minister

Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad said on Monday the proposal to extend the work hours of employees of the Information Technology sector came from heads of IT companies and not from the government.

Speaking to reporters, Santosh Lad said the industry was pressuring the government and it has just facilitated a platform to hold a discussion on it. “Now, it is in the public domain and let all the IT company heads, employees, and the public discuss the same,” said Lad. “I want all the heads of these big companies to debate and express their views. There is dissent from IT employees. I want people to have their opinions. Based on that, we will look into what has to be done,” he added.