The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) has filed a formal complaint with the labour ministry against Infosys, alleging illegal and unethical mass layoffs of trainees, which the association claims are a “violation of labour laws.” NITES’ complaint, submitted to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, states that Infosys terminated recently onboarded campus recruits who had already experienced a two-year delay in joining after receiving offer letters.
The company attributed the layoffs to failing an internal assessment programme.
“It has come to our attention, through numerous complaints received from affected employees, that Infosys Ltd. has resorted to forcibly terminating recently onboarded campus recruits who had already suffered a delay of two years in their joining after being issued offer letters,” Harpreet Singh Saluja, lawyer and president at NITES said in a written letter addressed to Mansukh Mandaviya, minister of labour & employment. NITES argues that Infosys’s actions set a dangerous precedent for the IT industry and could encourage other companies to engage in similar practices. The complaint includes copies of employee complaints.
NITES has termed the IT giant’s action illegal, unethical, and a “violation of labour laws.”
3 demands of NITES to Union Labour ministry
Strict action against for violating Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
NITES is demanding strict penal action against Infosys for violating the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, an immediate investigation into the matter, and a restraining order to halt further terminations.
Restraining order to stop further layoffs
NITES has also asked for an immediate investigation and a restraining order to stop further terminations until legal processes are followed.
Reinstatement of all terminated employees
The NITES union also demands the reinstatement of all terminated employees with appropriate compensation.
Infosys disputes the 700 number
Infosys claims the number of separations is under 350 and calls them “mutual separations,” explaining that the employees failed to clear an internal assessment program after three attempts, a process they say has been in place for over two decades.
Infosys threatened terminated employees, claims NITES
NITES also accused Infosys of employing intimidation tactics against the employees, such as the presence of bouncers and security personnel, to ensure compliance. NITES alleges that employees were confined to meeting rooms at the Mysore campus, intimidated by security personnel, and forced to resign without prior notice or severance packages. NITES further claims that employees were asked to vacate their accommodation and the campus on Friday, leaving many stranded and struggling to arrange travel back to their hometowns across the country.