IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
The IT industry in Bengaluru has been abuzz with controversy lately, with two prominent leaders in the sector proposing longer workweeks for employees. Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan have been the target of a protest by the Karnataka IT Unions (KITU), an IT employees’ union in Karnataka, who burnt effigies of both leaders to express their displeasure.
The protest took place in Bengaluru, with hundreds of IT employees participating in the demonstration. The employees, who were angry at the suggestion of longer workweeks, felt that it was an attempt to exploit them further. Despite the attempts by the Bengaluru Police to stop the protest, the employees went ahead and burnt the effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan.
The controversy began when Murthy, speaking at a corporate event, suggested that employees should be willing to work for 70 hours a week. This was met with widespread criticism, with many arguing that it was an unrealistic expectation. Subrahmanyan, the Chairman of L&T, added fuel to the fire by suggesting that employees should be willing to work for 90 hours a week.
The IT industry in Bengaluru is known for its competitive nature, with companies often pushing their employees to work long hours to meet deadlines. However, the latest suggestions by Murthy and Subrahmanyan have been seen as an attempt to exploit employees further.
The protest by KITU was a response to these suggestions, with employees demanding better working conditions and more reasonable workweeks. The union also called for an end to the culture of overwork and burnout in the IT industry.
The protest was peaceful, with employees holding placards and chanting slogans against Murthy and Subrahmanyan. The Bengaluru Police were present at the scene, but they did not intervene to stop the protest.
The IT industry in Bengaluru has been growing rapidly in recent years, with many companies setting up offices in the city. The industry has brought in a lot of economic growth and job opportunities to the city, but it has also led to concerns about working conditions and employee well-being.
The latest controversy highlights the need for a more balanced approach to work and life in the IT industry. While companies may need to work long hours to meet deadlines, employees also need to have a reasonable work-life balance to avoid burnout.
In conclusion, the protest by KITU against Murthy and Subrahmanyan’s suggestions is a wake-up call for the IT industry in Bengaluru. It highlights the need for companies to prioritize employee well-being and work-life balance, rather than just focusing on profits. The industry needs to adopt a more balanced approach to work and life, and employees need to be treated with respect and dignity.
