IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
The IT industry has been facing a crisis in recent times, with employees struggling to cope with the mounting pressure of increasing work hours and demanding targets. In a shocking turn of events, IT employees in Bengaluru took to the streets to protest against exploitative work practices, targeting none other than the founders of two prominent Indian IT companies. Effigies of Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan were burnt during the protest, which was organized by the Karnataka IT/ITes Employees Union (KITU).
The protests were sparked by comments made by Murthy and Subrahmanyan, who suggested that employees should work longer hours to increase productivity. Murthy, in a recent interview, proposed that employees should work 70 hours a week, while Subrahmanyan suggested that they should clock in 90 hours a week. These comments have been met with widespread criticism and outrage from employees who feel that such demands are unrealistic and unfair.
KITU, the IT employees’ union that organized the protest, has been vocal about the issues faced by employees in the IT industry. In a statement, the union said, “We are forced to work for 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, and are not even paid for overtime. The management is taking advantage of our dedication and hard work, and we are not being treated as employees, but as machines.”
The protest, which was held in Bengaluru, saw hundreds of IT employees gathered outside the office of the Karnataka State IT/ITes Employees Association. The protesters, who were predominantly young and IT workers, carried placards and banners with slogans like “We are not machines, we are human beings” and “Stop exploitation, we want justice”.
Despite attempts by the Bengaluru Police to stop the protest, the employees managed to burn the effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan. The police had arrived at the scene to prevent any untoward incidents, but the protesters were determined to make their voices heard.
The protest has sparked a wider debate about the working conditions in the IT industry. Many employees have come forward to share their experiences of working long hours without adequate compensation. Some have reported working for 16 hours a day, 6 days a week, and still being expected to meet tight deadlines.
The Karnataka State IT/ITes Employees Association has demanded that the government take immediate action to address the issues faced by IT employees. The association has called for a ban on forced overtime, better working conditions, and fair compensation for employees.
The protest has also highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the IT industry. Many employees feel that the industry is not doing enough to address the issues faced by workers, and that the focus is solely on increasing profits.
In conclusion, the protest by IT employees in Bengaluru is a powerful reminder of the need for change in the IT industry. It is time for the industry to recognize the value of its employees and treat them with dignity and respect. The burning of effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan is a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting the welfare of employees and prioritizing profits over people.
