IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
The IT industry has always been notorious for its demanding work culture, with long hours and tight deadlines being the norm. However, a recent proposal by two prominent industry leaders has sparked outrage among IT employees in Bengaluru. Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan have come under fire for suggesting longer workweeks, with some advocating for 70 hours and others for 90 hours of work per week.
In response to these proposals, the Karnataka IT Unions (KITU) organized a protest in Bengaluru, where IT employees turned out in large numbers to express their discontent. The protest took a dramatic turn when the employees decided to burn effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan, a move that was meant to convey their strong opposition to the proposed changes.
Despite attempts by the Bengaluru Police to stop them, the employees managed to burn the effigies, sending a clear message to the industry leaders that they would not tolerate such exploitation. The incident highlights the growing frustration among IT employees in the city, who are already working long hours and feeling burnt out.
The proposal by Murthy and Subrahmanyan has sparked a heated debate in the IT industry, with many employees questioning the wisdom of such a move. While some argue that longer workweeks would lead to increased productivity and competitiveness, others believe that it would only lead to burnout and turnover.
“Murthy and Subrahmanyan are out of touch with the reality of the IT industry,” said Rohan, a software engineer who attended the protest. “We already work long hours, and the thought of working even longer weeks is unbearable. They need to understand that we are not machines, and we can’t keep going at this pace.”
KITU, the union that organized the protest, has been vocal in its opposition to the proposed changes. “We will not allow our members to be exploited by these industry leaders,” said the union’s president, Rajesh. “We demand fair wages, reasonable working hours, and a better work-life balance. Anything less is unacceptable.”
The Bengaluru Police had tried to stop the employees from burning the effigies, but they were ultimately unsuccessful. “We understand the frustration of the employees, but we cannot allow such actions to take place,” said a police official. “We will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary action to maintain law and order.”
The incident has once again raised questions about the work culture in the IT industry. While it is true that the industry is known for its demanding work culture, it is also true that it is not sustainable in the long run. Burnout and turnover are real concerns, and industry leaders need to take a closer look at the impact of their proposals on employees.
Murthy and Subrahmanyan have faced criticism for their comments, with many arguing that they are out of touch with the reality of the IT industry. “They need to understand that employees are not commodities that can be exploited for the sake of profit,” said Suresh, a software engineer who attended the protest. “We are human beings, and we deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”
The incident has also raised questions about the role of the government in regulating the IT industry. While the government has taken some steps to address the concerns of IT employees, more needs to be done to protect their rights. “The government needs to take a closer look at the IT industry and ensure that employees are protected from exploitation,” said Rajesh, the union president. “We demand fair labor laws and enforcement to ensure that employees are treated fairly.”
In conclusion, the incident highlights the growing frustration among IT employees in Bengaluru, who are feeling exploited by industry leaders. The proposals by Murthy and Subrahmanyan have sparked a heated debate, and it is time for the industry leaders to take a closer look at the impact of their proposals on employees. The government also needs to take a more active role in regulating the IT industry and protecting the rights of IT employees.
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