IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
In a bold display of dissent, IT employees in Bengaluru burnt effigies of Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan during a protest by KITU, an IT employees’ union in Karnataka, against exploitative work practices. The protest was sparked by recent comments made by the two industry leaders, who suggested that employees should work longer hours to boost productivity.
Narayana Murthy, who co-founded Infosys in 1981, sparked controversy when he proposed that IT employees should put in 70-hour workweeks to stay ahead in the competitive industry. His comments were met with criticism from many, who felt that such long hours would lead to burnout and negatively impact employees’ mental and physical health.
Subrahmanyan, on the other hand, suggested that employees should work 90 hours a week to achieve their goals. His comments were seen as particularly egregious, as they seemed to imply that employees should be willing to sacrifice their personal lives and well-being for the sake of their jobs.
The protests, which were organized by KITU, an IT employees’ union in Karnataka, saw hundreds of employees gather outside the Infosys headquarters in Bengaluru. Despite attempts by the Bengaluru Police to stop them, the employees went ahead and burnt effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan.
The protest was a strong show of solidarity among IT employees, who are increasingly feeling the strain of long working hours and demanding workloads. Many employees feel that they are being asked to do more and more with less and less, and that their hard work is not being recognized or rewarded.
“These comments by Murthy and Subrahmanyan are a reflection of the exploitative work culture that exists in the IT industry,” said a KITU spokesperson. “Employees are being asked to work longer hours without any consideration for their well-being or work-life balance. We demand better working conditions and a more humane approach to work.”
The protest also highlighted the growing discontent among IT employees with the industry’s emphasis on productivity and efficiency. Many employees feel that they are being treated as machines, rather than human beings, and that their creativity and innovation are being stifled by the pressure to meet impossible deadlines.
The Bengaluru Police, who were present at the protest, attempted to stop the employees from burning the effigies. However, the employees were undeterred and went ahead with the protest, despite the police’s attempts to intervene.
The incident has sparked a wider debate about the work culture in the IT industry, with many employees and experts calling for a more humane approach to work. The incident has also highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the industry, as well as the importance of recognizing and rewarding employees’ hard work and contributions.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: IT employees will no longer be silenced or ignored. They will continue to fight for their rights and demand better working conditions, and it is up to industry leaders like Murthy and Subrahmanyan to listen to their concerns and take action to address them.
