Karnataka IT Union opposes removal of women's night-shift safety laws

The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) is demanding the rollback of the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2026. The union opposes the removal of statutory safety and security measures designed to protect women working night shifts.

The amendment, which has received the Governor’s assent and come into force, omits clauses 25(1)(h) to 25(1)(o). These deleted provisions included mandatory background checks for drivers, authorized pick-up and drop routes, and the protection of employees' personal contact information from unauthorized persons.

Other removed safeguards included requirements for employers to avoid picking up a woman employee first or dropping her last, the provision of security guards in specific situations, random vehicle checks by supervisors, and the maintenance of a control room to monitor vehicle movement. The amendment also removes emergency mechanisms for seeking immediate assistance.

KITU General Secretary Suhas Adiga stated that safe transportation is essential for women in the IT/ITeS sector. The union argues that the changes reduce employer accountability and place increased risk on individual women employees.