IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
The IT industry in Bengaluru, India has been witnessing a growing wave of discontent among employees over the past few years. With the rising pressure to meet project deadlines and the increasing workload, IT employees have been complaining about the exploitative work practices being followed by some companies. Recently, the situation took a turn for the worse when two prominent industry leaders, Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, proposed even longer workweeks for employees. This has led to widespread outrage among IT employees, who have been fighting against these exploitative practices.
In a shocking turn of events, employees of the IT industry, under the banner of KITU (Karnataka IT Union), took to the streets to protest against these proposals. Led by the KITU union, hundreds of IT employees gathered in Bengaluru, the IT hub of India, to express their ire against the proposals. The protesters, who included both freshers and experienced employees, were angry at the suggestion that they should work for longer hours without any corresponding increase in remuneration.
The protest turned violent when the employees, led by KITU, burnt effigies of Narayana Murthy and SN Subrahmanyan. Despite the efforts of the Bengaluru Police to stop them, the protesters were undeterred and went ahead with their plan. The burning of the effigies was a symbolic gesture to convey their anger and frustration against the proposals.
Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, had recently suggested that employees should be prepared to work for 70 hours a week. This proposal was widely criticized by employees and industry experts, who argued that it was unsustainable and would lead to burnout. Subrahmanyan, the Chairman of L&T, had also suggested that employees should work for 90 hours a week, which was seen as even more outrageous.
The proposals by Murthy and Subrahmanyan have been seen as a attack on the well-being of IT employees. Many employees have been working for long hours, often exceeding 12 hours a day, without any corresponding increase in remuneration. The proposals have been seen as an attempt to further exploit IT employees, who are already working under immense pressure.
The KITU union, which represents thousands of IT employees in Karnataka, has been at the forefront of the protests against the proposals. The union has been demanding better working conditions, including a 40-hour workweek, for IT employees. The union has also been demanding that companies should not expect employees to work for longer hours without any corresponding increase in remuneration.
The protests by KITU have been supported by many other IT employees and industry experts. Many have argued that the proposals by Murthy and Subrahmanyan are unsustainable and would lead to a brain drain in the IT industry. The IT industry, which is a major contributor to India’s GDP, cannot afford to lose its talented workforce.
The burning of the effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan is a clear message to the industry leaders that IT employees will not tolerate exploitative practices. The protesters are demanding that companies should prioritize the well-being of employees and not expect them to work for longer hours without any corresponding increase in remuneration.
The KITU union has also been demanding that the government should intervene to protect the interests of IT employees. The union has been seeking the help of the government to ensure that companies do not exploit their employees and that the industry follows a 40-hour workweek.
The protests by KITU are a wake-up call to the IT industry. It is time for companies to rethink their approach to employee management and prioritize the well-being of employees. The industry should focus on creating a work-life balance for employees and not expect them to work for longer hours without any corresponding increase in remuneration.
In conclusion, the burning of the effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan is a clear message to the IT industry that IT employees will not tolerate exploitative practices. The protesters are demanding that companies should prioritize the well-being of employees and not expect them to work for longer hours without any corresponding increase in remuneration. The KITU union has been at the forefront of the protests, demanding better working conditions for IT employees. The government should also intervene to protect the interests of IT employees and ensure that the industry follows a 40-hour workweek.
