IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
The IT industry is known for its grueling work schedules, long hours, and extensive workload. However, when two top executives from the industry suggested even longer workweeks, it sparked outrage among IT employees. The employees of Bengaluru, the hub of India’s IT sector, took to the streets to protest against the proposal, and their anger was palpable as they burnt effigies of Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan.
The protest was organized by KITU (Karnataka IT Union), an IT employees’ union in Karnataka. The union took strong exception to the suggestions made by Murthy and Subrahmanyan, which they deemed as exploitative and inhumane. Murthy had proposed a 70-hour workweek, while Subrahmanyan suggested that employees should work 90 hours a week. These suggestions were met with widespread criticism from the employees, who felt that it would only lead to burnout and affect their work-life balance.
The protest began with a rally, where hundreds of IT employees gathered to express their dissent against the proposal. They were carrying banners and placards with slogans like “No to longer workweeks” and “Respect our work-life balance”. The protesters marched through the streets, shouting slogans and chanting anti-Murthy and anti-Subrahmanyan slogans.
As the rally reached its climax, the protesters arrived at the spot where they had set up two effigies – one of Murthy and the other of Subrahmanyan. The effigies were made to resemble the two executives, complete with their signature hairstyles and clothing. The protesters then set the effigies ablaze, symbolizing their rejection of the proposal.
The police tried to intervene, but the protesters were undeterred. They argued that they had every right to express their dissent and protest against policies that affected their well-being. The police, however, maintained that the protest was illegal and tried to disperse the crowd. But the protesters refused to budge, and the police were forced to use mild force to control the situation.
The protest was a significant display of solidarity among IT employees, who felt that their concerns were being ignored by their leaders. The employees are already working long hours, and any further increase in working hours would only lead to fatigue and decreased productivity. The IT industry is known for its high-stress environment, and employees are already struggling to cope with the workload.
The reaction to the protest has been mixed. While some have criticized the protesters for their actions, others have praised them for standing up for their rights. The IT industry has always been known for its tolerance of long work hours, but the recent suggestions by Murthy and Subrahmanyan have pushed the employees to their limits.
The incident highlights the growing discontent among IT employees, who feel that they are being taken for granted. The industry has always been known for its high salaries and benefits, but the employees are now demanding better working conditions and a better work-life balance.
In conclusion, the protest by IT employees in Bengaluru is a significant development in the industry. It shows that the employees are no longer willing to tolerate exploitative work practices and are demanding better working conditions. The incident also highlights the need for industry leaders to rethink their approach to work and to prioritize the well-being of their employees.
