Information technology or IT companies have been once again exempted from the Industrial Standing Orders Act 1946, which gives protection against arbitrary layoffs, unreasonable working hours, grievance redressal, sexual harassment and so on. In fact, the IT industry in Karnataka has been exempt from following the Standing Orders Act for 25 years or so, informs Sooraj Nidiyanga, general secretary of the Karnataka IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU). https://thewire.in/labour/karnataka-standing-orders-act-it-companies-exempt
So what is the track record of IT companies when it comes to labour practices?
Arbitrary layoffs are not hidden either. Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, IT firms big and small have laid off employees en masse. Ideally, any establishment employing a hundred or more workers is required to obtain written permission of the government before laying off or retrenching workers under the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947. But being exempted from the Standing Orders allows the companies an easy pass in such scenarios.
30/06/2024