A significant legislative proposal aimed at safeguarding employee well-being, the ‘Right to Disconnect’ bill, has been introduced in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament. The bill seeks to enshrine a legal right for professionals to switch off from work after hours and on holidays.
The proposal demands that it be codified into law, ensuring that every employed individual has the right to legally ignore work-related phone calls and avoid checking professional emails once their official working hours are concluded. This measure is intended to enforce a healthy work-life balance and address the issue of blurring professional and personal boundaries caused by constant digital connectivity.
The initiative is part of a broader push for progressive social legislation in India. Several other important bills were introduced simultaneously, including a bill focused on women’s rights, proposing paid leave and hygiene facilities for female employees during menstruation. Furthermore, separate bills calling for the abolition of the death penalty and dedicated protection for journalists were also introduced in the Lok Sabha, signaling a multi-faceted attempt to modernize India’s social and labor statutes.
