IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
The IT industry in Bengaluru has been witnessing a growing unrest among employees over the past few years, with many complaining about exploitative work practices and long working hours. Recently, the situation took a dramatic turn when IT employees in the city burnt effigies of Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, protesting against their suggestions to increase working hours.
The incident took place on a recent Sunday, when a group of IT employees from the Karnataka IT Unions (KITU) gathered in front of the Bengaluru Police Commissioner’s office to demonstrate against the proposed longer workweeks. Murthy, in an interview earlier, had suggested that IT employees should be willing to work 70-hour weeks, while Subrahmanyan had gone a step further, proposing that employees should work 90 hours a week.
The KITU employees, who were visibly angry and frustrated with the suggestions, decided to take a strong stand against what they called “exploitative work practices.” Despite the attempts by the Bengaluru Police to stop them, the employees went ahead and burnt effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan.
The protest started with a rally that began at the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees’ Union office in Bengaluru. The employees, who were carrying placards and banners, marched towards the Police Commissioner’s office, demanding that the government take action against the exploitation of IT employees.
As the protest reached its climax, the employees lit the effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan, symbolically rejecting their suggestions. The police, who had been monitoring the situation, tried to intervene, but the employees were determined to make their point.
“We are not just employees, we are human beings,” said KITU President, Srinivas, while addressing the rally. “We deserve a better work-life balance and we will not tolerate any attempts to exploit us.”
The protest was attended by hundreds of IT employees from various companies, including Infosys, Wipro, and L&T. Many of them shared their personal stories of overwork and burnout, highlighting the need for change in the industry.
The IT industry in India has been growing rapidly over the past few years, with many companies expanding their operations and hiring more employees. However, this growth has also led to increased pressure on employees to work longer hours and meet tight deadlines.
The suggestions made by Murthy and Subrahmanyan have been widely criticized by many in the industry, who see them as an attempt to justify the exploitation of employees. Many employees have taken to social media to express their anger and frustration, using hashtags such as #NotMyFuture and #ITIndustryReform.
The Bengaluru Police have been trying to negotiate with the protesters to end the demonstration peacefully. However, the employees have refused to budge, demanding that the government take concrete action to address their concerns.
The incident highlights the growing discontent among IT employees in India, who are demanding better working conditions and a more sustainable work-life balance. The government and industry leaders need to take note of this growing unrest and work towards creating a more equitable and humane work environment.
