A senior official from staffing company TeamLease highlighted potential violations of labor laws with the implementation of a 70-hour work week, stating that such prolonged work hours surpass the standard 9-hour work limit established by labor regulations. Dhriti Prasanna Mahanta, Vice President and Business Head for TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, emphasized the divergence between the accepted norms and a demanding 70-hour work week, particularly impacting labor law compliance among employees.
Labour Law Compliance and Cost of Extended Work Hours
The suggestion of a 70-hour work week, advocated recently by former Infosys CEO N R Narayana Murthy, could lead to a breach of labor regulations, resulting in increased employment expenses. Mahanta pointed out that while such extended hours might suit entrepreneurs and self-motivated individuals, it doesn’t align with the existing compliance norms within the framework of labor laws.
Demand for Non-Tech AI Roles and Hiring Trends
Mahanta highlighted trends in job demands, mentioning that approximately 65% of the current demand originates from non-tech sectors seeking positions related to AI, machine learning, and blockchain. These demands are notably prevalent in sectors such as telecom, aviation, retail commerce, fintech, and electronics. The surge in these requirements is attributed to increased investments from both governmental and private sectors, as well as changes in consumer behavior post-Covid.
Rising Need for AI Talent and Skill Gap
Mahanta emphasized the pressing need for upskilling in AI-related fields. He outlined a significant 51% gap in AI talent and stressed the importance of addressing this gap through apprenticeships and work-based learning programs, particularly in sectors such as finance, healthcare, transportation, and logistics.
Impact on IT Profiles in Non-Tech Sectors and Hiring Trends
The projection for various tech-based job roles showcases promising upward trends. Cloud engineer positions witnessed a 25% rise, while roles demanding AI, blockchain, and ML certification experienced a substantial 35% surge. Network and computer systems administrator positions saw a 10% increase, and a 20% uptick was projected for network security engineers based on approximate data derived from diverse reports and comprehensive research.
TeamLease anticipates a strong surge in the demand for IT profiles in non-tech sectors, which is expected to influence growth significantly in the upcoming fiscal year, particularly boosted by virtual global mobility trends.