Bengaluru: The labour department is preparing for a fresh tussle with the IT-BT industry as companies are expected to seek exemptions from the Centre’s newly notified 48-hour weekly flexi work cap under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH) code.The concern comes at a time when the IT-BT sector has already received a five-year exemption under the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946. Officials believe the industry may view fixed flexi-hour regulations as incompatible with its work culture and project-driven operations.Labour minister Santosh Lad said the govt is not inclined to dilute work-hour protections for the sector. “We had received requests from companies for 11 to 12 working hours per day but have rejected them outright. The flexi hours notification by the Centre is something which has already been adopted in the state and we do not foresee any concerns with it at present,” Lad told TOI.The department is expected to hold a meeting later this week to finalise the rules and prescribe penalties for violations.Labout department officials said the state govt, which introduced flexible work week provisions through amendments to the Factories Act in 2023, will now frame rules in line with the central notification. The earlier amendment enabled extended daily shifts for a mobile phone manufacturing company in the state. However, they said companies seeking approval for flexible work schedules would have to comply with stricter conditions.“We will be adding a few mandatory requirements for any company seeking to bring the flexi hours work week. This shall include mandatory dormitories, canteen and health facilities that are required if the companies or industries are looking to increase the number of hours per day and reduce the work days,” officials said, adding that inspections would be conducted before approvals are granted. “The IT-BT companies are also expected to seek exemptions from these flexi work hour rules, as has been the case with other labour laws,” officials added.
