IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
The IT industry in Bengaluru witnessed a fiery protest by IT employees’ union, KITU, on Saturday, as they burnt effigies of Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan to express their outrage against exploitative work practices. The employees were protesting against the comments made by these industry leaders, who suggested drastic changes to the existing workweek structure.
Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, had proposed that IT employees should work 70-hour weeks to ensure the growth and success of the industry. This suggestion was met with widespread criticism and disbelief from the IT community, with many employees taking to social media to express their discontent. Murthy’s comments were seen as a direct attack on the rights and well-being of IT employees, who are already working long hours and facing immense pressure.
Subrahmanyan, the Chairman of L&T, took it a step further by suggesting that employees should work 90 hours a week. This proposal was seen as nothing short of outrageous, with many employees feeling that it was an attempt to exploit their labor and push them to the brink of burnout.
The IT employees’ union, KITU, decided to take a stand against these proposals and organized a protest in Bengaluru. Despite the presence of police, who attempted to stop them, the employees managed to burn effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan, sending a strong message to the industry leaders that their demands would not be taken lightly.
The protest was a peaceful one, with employees gathering in front of the Bengaluru Police Commissioner’s office to express their discontent. The police, however, tried to intervene and prevent the employees from burning the effigies, leading to a tense standoff. Despite the police’s efforts, the employees managed to light the effigies and burn them, sending a powerful message to the industry leaders.
The protest was a significant one, with hundreds of IT employees participating and expressing their solidarity with the cause. The employees were seen holding placards and banners, with slogans like “We are not machines” and “Respect our rights” written on them. The protest was a clear indication of the frustration and anger that IT employees are feeling, and the need for industry leaders to take their demands seriously.
The IT industry in Bengaluru has been growing rapidly in recent years, with many companies setting up shop in the city. However, the rapid growth has come at a cost, with IT employees facing immense pressure and stress. Long working hours, lack of work-life balance, and inadequate compensation are just a few of the issues that IT employees are facing.
The comments made by Murthy and Subrahmanyan have only added to the frustration and anger of IT employees, who feel that their rights and well-being are being ignored. The industry leaders need to take note of the concerns of IT employees and work towards creating a more sustainable and equitable work environment.
In conclusion, the protest by IT employees in Bengaluru is a clear indication of the growing discontent among IT employees. The comments made by Murthy and Subrahmanyan have only added fuel to the fire, and it is up to the industry leaders to take note of the concerns of IT employees and work towards creating a better work environment. The IT employees’ union, KITU, has sent a strong message to the industry leaders, and it is up to them to respond positively and work towards creating a more sustainable and equitable work environment.
