Title: IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
The IT sector in Bengaluru has been a hub of innovation and growth, attracting talent from all over the world. However, it seems that some of the industry’s top leaders have forgotten the struggles of their employees. Recently, IT employees in Bengaluru took to the streets to protest against exploitive work practices, with a unique method of expression – burning effigies of their alleged tormentors.
The effigies in question belonged to two of the most prominent figures in the Indian IT industry – Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, and SN Subrahmanyan, the Chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The employees were protesting against their proposals to increase workweeks to 70 hours and 90 hours, respectively.
The protest was organized by the Karnataka IT Union (KITU), a union that represents the interests of IT employees in the state. The employees, who work long hours for meager salaries, are demanding better working conditions and a more humane work-life balance.
Murthy, in a recent interview, suggested that employees should be willing to work 70 hours a week to succeed in the industry. He also mentioned that the company’s founders had to work long hours to build the company from scratch. While this may have been true in the past, it is not a feasible or sustainable solution for employees today.
Subrahmanyan, on the other hand, went a step further by suggesting that employees should be willing to work 90 hours a week. This proposal has been met with widespread criticism from employees and experts alike. The idea that employees can work longer hours without any negative impact on their health and productivity is a myth that has been debunked time and time again.
Despite the police’s attempts to stop them, the employees went ahead with their protest and burnt the effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan. The event was attended by hundreds of employees, who chanted slogans and held placards demanding better working conditions.
The protest is a reflection of the growing discontent among IT employees in Bengaluru. The industry has been facing a shortage of skilled workers, and companies are struggling to retain talent. However, instead of addressing the root causes of the problem, some leaders are resorting to exploiting their employees.
The Indian IT industry has been built on the backs of hardworking employees who have been willing to put in long hours for the sake of their careers. However, this cannot continue indefinitely. The industry needs to adopt a more humane approach to employment, one that recognizes the value of its employees and provides them with a better work-life balance.
The protest is also a reflection of the growing awareness among employees about their rights and entitlements. With the rise of social media, employees are now more connected than ever before, and they are demanding better working conditions and a more sustainable work culture.
In conclusion, the burning of effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan is a powerful statement from IT employees in Bengaluru. It highlights the need for a change in the way the industry approaches employment and recognizes the value of its employees. The industry needs to adopt a more humane approach to employment, one that recognizes the rights and entitlements of its employees.
