IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
The Indian IT industry has long been plagued by issues of overwork, burnout, and exploitation. Despite the sector’s massive growth and profitability, employees often find themselves working long hours, sacrificing their personal lives, and struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Recently, two prominent figures in the industry, Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, sparked outrage among IT employees by proposing even longer workweeks. In response, employees in Bengaluru took to the streets, burning effigies of the two leaders in a protest against exploitative work practices.
The controversy began when Murthy, speaking at a conference, suggested that employees should work for 70 hours a week to keep up with the demands of the industry. Subrahmanyan, in a separate interview, went a step further, suggesting that employees should work for 90 hours a week. The comments sparked widespread outrage among IT employees, who felt that such demands were unrealistic and would only lead to further burnout and demotivation.
The IT Employees’ Union, Karnataka (KITU), decided to take action against these proposals. On a recent evening, hundreds of IT employees gathered in front of the Corporation Bank in Bengaluru’s K R Puram area to protest against the proposed longer workweeks. Despite attempts by the Bengaluru Police to stop them, the employees managed to burn effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan.
The protest was peaceful, with employees holding placards and banners denouncing the proposals as “exploitative” and “unreasonable.” Many employees shared their own experiences of working long hours, sacrificing their personal lives, and struggling to maintain their mental and physical health. The protesters also highlighted the negative impact of long workweeks on the industry, including decreased productivity, increased turnover rates, and a lack of innovation.
The Bengaluru Police were present at the protest, but they allowed the employees to burn the effigies after a brief scuffle. The police had initially tried to stop the employees from burning the effigies, but the protesters refused to back down.
The incident highlights the deep-seated issues of exploitation and burnout in the Indian IT industry. For years, employees have been working long hours, sacrificing their personal lives, and struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The industry’s growth and profitability have not been matched by improvements in working conditions, employee welfare, or job security.
The IT industry’s obsession with productivity and efficiency has led to a culture of overwork, where employees are expected to work long hours without adequate compensation or recognition. This has resulted in high levels of stress, burnout, and turnover rates, which can have severe consequences for employees’ mental and physical health.
The proposals by Murthy and Subrahmanyan are just the latest example of the industry’s unrealistic expectations. They show a lack of understanding of the human cost of overwork and the negative impact it can have on employees’ well-being. It is time for the industry to rethink its approach to work and prioritize the well-being of its employees.
The IT Employees’ Union, Karnataka (KITU) has called for better working conditions, improved employee welfare, and a reduction in work hours. The union is demanding that the government take steps to regulate the industry and protect the rights of IT employees.
The incident also highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the industry. It is unacceptable that senior leaders like Murthy and Subrahmanyan can propose unrealistic workweeks without considering the implications for employees. The industry needs to adopt a more responsible and ethical approach to work, prioritizing the well-being of its employees over its own interests.
As the IT industry continues to grow and evolve, it is essential that employees are treated with dignity and respect. The industry must adopt a more human-centered approach to work, prioritizing employee well-being, job security, and work-life balance. Anything less is unacceptable.
