IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
The IT industry in India has always been known for its demanding work culture, with employees often putting in long hours and working under immense pressure to meet deadlines. However, a recent proposal by two industry leaders has taken things to a whole new level, sparking outrage among IT employees. Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan have both suggested that employees should be willing to put in extra hours, with Murthy proposing 70-hour workweeks and Subrahmanyan suggesting 90 hours a week.
The proposal has been met with widespread criticism and anger from IT employees, who have been protesting against the idea of longer workweeks. In a dramatic protest, employees of the IT industry in Bengaluru burnt effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan, expressing their strong opposition to the proposal.
The protest was organized by KITU, an IT employees’ union in Karnataka, which represents thousands of IT employees across the state. The union has been vocal in its opposition to exploitative work practices and has been pushing for better working conditions and employee welfare.
Despite efforts by the Bengaluru Police to stop them, the protesters went ahead and burnt the effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan. The police had tried to intervene, but the protesters managed to outsmart them and carry out their protest.
The protest is a reflection of the growing resentment among IT employees towards the industry’s exploitative work culture. Many employees feel that they are being asked to work longer hours without any corresponding increase in pay or benefits. The industry’s focus on profit maximization has led to a culture of overwork and burnout, which is taking a toll on employees’ physical and mental health.
The proposal by Murthy and Subrahmanyan has been seen as a step in the wrong direction. Instead of addressing the root causes of employee dissatisfaction, they are asking employees to put in even more hours without any tangible benefits. This has led to widespread anger and frustration among IT employees, who feel that they are being taken for granted.
The protest is also a wake-up call for the industry and the government to take action to address the issues faced by IT employees. The industry needs to recognize that the current work culture is unsustainable and needs to be changed. This can be achieved by implementing policies that promote work-life balance, provide better compensation and benefits, and address the physical and mental health concerns of employees.
The government also has a role to play in addressing the issues faced by IT employees. It needs to ensure that labor laws are enforced and that employees are protected from exploitative practices. The government should also provide support to IT employees by providing them with better working conditions, access to healthcare and education, and other benefits.
In conclusion, the protest by IT employees in Bengaluru is a powerful statement against the industry’s exploitative work culture. It is a reminder that employees are not just machines that can be used to generate profits, but are human beings who deserve dignity, respect, and fair treatment. The industry and the government need to take action to address the issues faced by IT employees and ensure that they are treated with fairness and respect.
