No blanket nod for 10-hr work days, conditions apply, says Karnataka minister Lad

Karnataka is not ready to grant blanket permission for industries to make employees work 10 hours a day, Labour Minister Santosh Lad said on Thursday.

He clarified that the government would allow extended work hours only if both the staff and the employees’ union of a company agree.

“There are many negatives. Personally, I’m not in favour of 10-hour work,” Lad told reporters. “If employees and the employees’ union of a company agree, then we’ll allow it,” he said.

However, the minister conceded that the government lacked the means to verify whether employees were coerced into agreeing to the increased work hours.

Lad explained that the union government had sent a proposal to increase work hours.

In response, the state government formed a committee headed by the chief secretary  to study the matter.

“Our department and the trade unions argued against the implementation, while the industry wanted it to be implemented,” he said.

48 hrs a week, 2 days off

Describing the model proposed, Lad said, “Flexi hours is a concept where an employee has to work for 48 hours in a week and take two days off”.

He said the government was approaching the issue with caution.

“We are not completely rejecting the union government’s proposal, but it does not mean that we are going to accept it in toto. However, we have accepted the proposal, if any company has a union and its employees have given their consent in writing”.

Lad cited the example of Shahi Exports, which was permitted to extend work hours.

“They allowed our officials inside. We spoke to employees and they agreed. So, the company was permitted to go in for the flexi hours system,” he said.

The minister said, “Any company that wants to implement flexi hours can come and give it to us in writing. We will lay down conditions. Only after the conditions are met, will we give permission to such companies. We will discuss the matter with the chief minister and ministers”.

Sharing his personal concerns about the broader implications of such work models, Lad said, “Overall, industry-wise, in developing countries and developed countries, in my personal opinion, entire life is being rented out.”