‘Free pass to violate laws’: IT unions hit out at Karnataka’s self-certification move

Under the category of non-fiscal incentives, Karnataka's new IT policy states that IT/ITeS entities will be permitted to file self-certifications as per the prevailing notification issued by the Labour Department.

The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has strongly expressed their opposition to the state government’s decision allowing all IT and ITeS companies to file self certification for labour law compliance. The said provision was included in the “Karnataka Information Technology Policy 2025–2030”, which was approved by the cabinet on November 13. 

Under the category of non-fiscal incentives, the policy states that IT/ITeS entities will be permitted to file self-certifications as per the prevailing notification issued by the Labour Department. 

“Self-certification is nothing but the government’s withdrawal from its constitutional and statutory responsibility to enforce labour laws. By allowing corporations to self-declare compliance, the Government and the Labour Department are abdicating their role as custodians of labour governance, enforcement, and inspection,” said Suhas Adiga, General Secretary, KITU, who went on to add that this effectively grants corporates a free hand to violate labour laws without fear of scrutiny. 

The union also accused the Karnataka government of ‘appeasing’ corporate interests at the cost of workers’ rights and well-being. 

“The IT/ITES sector is already notorious for widespread labour law violations, including excessive working hours, forced terminations, denial of leave, and unsafe workloads that are taking a severe toll on the physical and mental health of lakhs of employees in the industry,” the union said, in a statement. 

Earlier rule

Speaking to DH, Suman Das, Convenor, IT and ITES Democratic Employees Association (IIDEA), explained that the earlier rule was that the labour department will inspect the relevant documents and they will certify whether companies are following labour laws and are taking necessary steps to protect workers rights. 

“Now, when you are giving the provision to self-certify to the employer, do you expect employers who are violating the law, will voluntarily disclose it ? This is directly telling the companies that there is no need to comply with any of the labour laws,” said Suman.