NEW DELHI: Fear of large scale retrenchment
for the first time prompted professionals from the IT industry to come together
under one platform to initiate a joint struggle on Sunday. After job cuts at
TCSBSE 0.81 % and fearing similar action by other companies, IT professionals
from TCS, WiproBSE 2.88 %, IBM, HCL, Tech MahindraBSE 0.66 %, Deloitte,
Samsung, Accenture from locations like Chennai, Hydera bad, Pune, Mumbai, Delhi
and Bangalore gathered in the capital to meet the IT Professional Welfare
Association (ITPWA) and discuss "Job Security in IT Industry".
Former Additional Solicitor General of India,
Indira Jaisingh, also briefed the professionals on various legal aspects. After
the meeting, ITPWA staged a demonstration at Jantar Mantar raising slogans
demanding job security and reinstatement of all affected employees.
Prabir Purkayastha of Knowledge Commons spoke
about the logical fallacies being propagated by the companies as the reasons
for retrenchment."Job cuts at a time when most IT companies are claiming
significant growth is patently illegal," he said. IT professionals claimed
the companies are firing those with 8-10 years of experience.
Kiran Chandra, a founder of the Free Software
Movement of India, said in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana the firms fall under
the Shops and Establishment Act, while in Karnataka they are under industries.
Jaisingh explained various sections and
definitions of the Industrial Dispute Act and whether it is applicable to IT
employees. She said: "The roles and responsibilities of these employees
qualify them as `workmen'."
A resolution was passed demanding
reinstatement of all affected employees, revoking exemption to IT companies
from labour laws, to check the menace of unjustified retrenchment, constitute
internal complaints committees for prevention and redressal of sexual
harassment and necessary actions to curb fake companies
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