IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
In a bold and decisive move, IT employees in Bengaluru, Karnataka, have taken to the streets to protest against exploitative work practices. The employees, affiliated with the Karnataka IT Unions (KITU), have been outraged by the recent statements made by two prominent business leaders in the industry. Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan have both suggested that employees should be willing to work longer hours, with Murthy proposing 70-hour workweeks and Subrahmanyan suggesting 90 hours a week.
In response to these proposals, the IT employees have come together to protest and express their discontent. On Monday, a group of employees gathered in Bengaluru to burn effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan, sending a strong message to the industry’s leaders. The event, which was organized by KITU, was attended by hundreds of employees who were united in their opposition to longer workweeks.
Despite attempts by the Bengaluru Police to stop the protest, the employees were able to burn the effigies, sending a powerful message to the industry’s leaders. The protest was peaceful, with no reports of violence or property damage. However, the strong emotions and determination of the employees were palpable, as they expressed their frustration and anger at the proposed changes.
The debate around workweeks has been ongoing in the IT industry for some time, with employees and employers at odds over the issue. While some argue that longer workweeks are necessary to meet the demands of the industry, others believe that this would have negative consequences for employee well-being and productivity.
Murthy’s proposal, in particular, has been met with widespread criticism. The former Infosys CEO has been a vocal advocate for the need to adapt to changing market conditions, and his suggestion that employees should be willing to work longer hours has been seen as a further example of the industry’s relentless pursuit of profits.
Subrahmanyan’s suggestion, while not as extreme as Murthy’s, is still deeply concerning for many employees. The idea that employees should be willing to work 90 hours a week, with no guarantee of overtime pay or benefits, is seen as exploitative and unfair.
The IT employees who participated in the protest are united in their opposition to longer workweeks. They argue that the industry’s leaders are failing to recognize the value and worth of their employees, and that the constant pressure to work longer hours is taking a toll on their mental and physical health.
“We are not machines that can be used 24/7,” said one employee who attended the protest. “We have families, we have lives outside of work, and we deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Longer workweeks are not the solution to the industry’s problems, and we will not stand for it.”
The protest has sent a strong message to the industry’s leaders, and has sparked a wider debate about the future of work in the IT industry. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the IT employees of Bengaluru will not be silenced, and they will continue to fight for their rights and their well-being.
