CPI(M) MP moves Right to Disconnect Bill in Rajya Sabha

In a bid to address the worsening work-life balance and rising mental health concerns, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP A.A. Rahim on Friday introduced the Right to Disconnect Bill, which seeks to guarantee employees the right to disengage from work-related communication outside official working hours.

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Post-lunch sessions in both Houses of Parliament are reserved for Private Member’s Bills.

Mr. Rahim said the Bill arose from a long-standing demand to curb the “always-on” digital work culture that has taken a toll on India’s youth. Work-related emails, messages, and calls increasingly spill far beyond office hours, intruding into weekends, public holidays, and even sanctioned leave.

“Young professionals, particularly those in the IT, platform, and service sectors, have been disproportionately affected, facing constant pressure to remain available in the absence of clear legal protections,” he said.

The Bill seeks to formally recognise employees’ right to personal time, mental rest, and recuperation. It proposes that workers should not be obliged to respond to work-related communication after office hours and should not face any adverse consequences — such as disciplinary action, poor performance appraisals, or denial of career opportunities — for exercising this right.

In 2017, the French Parliament enacted a similar law requiring companies with more than 50 employees to negotiate policies enabling workers to ignore digital communication after hours. It allows employees to disconnect without fear of reprisal, though enforcement depends on company-level agreements or charters. Belgium, Portugal, and Australia have also adopted similar legislation.

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Mr. Rahim’s Bill places statutory obligations on employers. Companies would be required to draft and implement a comprehensive Right to Disconnect policy in consultation with employee representatives or recognised trade unions. Such a policy would define working hours, permissible after-hours communication, emergency protocols, grievance redressal mechanisms, and measures to promote digital wellness and mental health in the workplace.

The legislation, he said, is particularly relevant in the post-pandemic context, where remote and hybrid work models have blurred the boundary between professional and personal life. “Studies consistently indicate high levels of work-related stress among Indian professionals outside regular working hours, with young workers and women being among the most affected,” Mr. Rahim noted. India currently lacks any legal framework to address the issue.

Mr. Rahim also introduced two other Private Member’s Bills — the Educational Consultancies Regulation Bill, 2025, and the Environment (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2025. These aim to address the long-standing regulatory gaps affecting students and communities impacted by climate change across the country.