IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
The IT industry in Bengaluru has been abuzz with controversy lately, with a proposed increase in work hours sparking outrage among employees. Recently, IT employees in the city took to the streets to protest against exploitative work practices, targeting none other than two high-profile business leaders – Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan.
The protest, organized by the Karnataka IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU), saw employees burning effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan in a bold display of dissent. The move was a direct response to their comments on work hours, which the employees deemed unacceptable.
Murthy, in a recent interview, had suggested that employees should be willing to work 70-hour weeks to stay competitive in the industry. Meanwhile, Subrahmanyan had advocated for a 90-hour workweek, citing the need for employees to be more productive and efficient.
The comments sparked outrage among IT employees, who felt that such demands were not only unreasonable but also exploitative. The employees, who have already been working long hours for months, are already burning out, and such demands only add to their frustration.
The protest, which took place despite attempts by the Bengaluru Police to stop it, was a show of solidarity among IT employees. The effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan were burned in the presence of hundreds of employees, who chanted slogans and raised their voices against the proposed increases in work hours.
“We will not tolerate such exploitation,” said Kiran Rao, General Secretary of KITU. “We are not machines that can work 90 hours a week. We have families, we have lives, and we need a work-life balance. We demand that our leaders respect our rights and not try to exploit us.”
The protest has sent a strong message to the IT industry, which has been booming in recent years. The industry, which is a major driver of India’s economy, has been facing criticism for its treatment of employees, with many employees feeling overworked and underpaid.
The Bengaluru Police, who were present at the protest, tried to intervene and stop the burning of the effigies but were met with resistance from the employees. The police eventually retreated, allowing the employees to continue their protest.
The protest has sparked a wider debate about the working conditions in the IT industry. Many employees are speaking out against the long hours, low pay, and lack of work-life balance, which they say are taking a toll on their mental and physical health.
The government has also taken notice of the protest, with several ministers and politicians expressing support for the employees. “We understand the concerns of the IT employees and will do everything in our power to ensure that their rights are protected,” said a senior government official.
The protest has sent a strong message to the IT industry, which has been booming in recent years. The industry, which is a major driver of India’s economy, has been facing criticism for its treatment of employees, with many employees feeling overworked and underpaid.
As the IT industry continues to grow and evolve, it is essential that employees are treated with respect and dignity. The protest has shown that employees will not tolerate exploitation and will fight for their rights. It is time for the industry to take notice and make necessary changes to ensure a better work-life balance for its employees.
