The Pune-based Forum for IT Employees (FITE), Maharashtra has called for the set up of an SIT (Special Investigation Team) in connection with "mass layoffs" of employees by Tata Consultancy Services and other IT companies in Pune's IT hub of Hinjewadi. On the other hand, Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene to protect the interests of affected IT employees. "On behalf of the Forum for IT Employees (FITE) Maharashtra, we wish to bring to your attention critical issues affecting thousands of IT employees across the state. These matters are not only causing severe distress to individuals but also damaging Maharashtra’s reputation as a fair and employee-friendly technology hub," said Pavanjit Mane, president (FITE Maharashtra) and Prashant Pandit, Secretary of State, in a letter to Maharashtra Labour Minister Akash Fundkar. "We had handed over the letter to the Minister and to the Principal Secretary, Home Department last month. We are still awaiting their response," Mane told The Indian Express on Friday. Mane said, "During our meeting with the Minister, we urged him to set up an SIT to look into the problems affecting the IT employees." Apart from the matter related to forced resignations of IT employees, nearly 1,000 fresh graduates were defrauded by a fake recruitment firm in Hinjewadi, each paying approximately Rs 2 lakh for job placements that never materialised. "We urge for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure strict action and to recover the defrauded funds, providing relief and justice to the affected youth," he said. In the letter, FITE alleged that several IT companies had been reported to engage in coercive practices, where employees are forced to resign under duress. "These actions violate multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. We request urgent intervention to prevent such unlawful practices and protect the fundamental rights and dignity of IT employees." The letter said IT professionals are not clearly covered under the “workman” definition of labour laws, leaving them unprotected. "Ongoing issues include extended working hours, unfair full & final settlements, provident fund discrepancies, and 90-day notice periods. There is an urgent need for fast-track labour courts/IT tribunals to resolve disputes swiftly and fairly." FITE demanded the appointment of noted lawyer Harshad Nimbalkar as Public Prosecutor to represent affected employees. "There should be clear policy guidelines to regulate layoffs and forced resignations in the IT sector. There should be Labour law amendments to extend full protections to IT employees, ensuring fair practices and compliance," FITE said. Meanwhile, IT employees' body NITES in a letter to the Chief Minister Maharashtra on Wednesday said Tata Consultancy Services allegedly forced around 2,500 employees in Pune to resign from their jobs, PTI reported. However, TCS said, only a limited number of employees have been affected by its recent initiative to realign skills in the organisation. NITES president Harpreet Singh Saluja, in a letter to Fadnavis, sought timely intervention to protect the interests of affected employees. Saluja said based on NITES representation, the Union Labour Ministry has directed the Maharashtra labour secretary to take necessary action in the matter. "Sadly, despite this directive, the ground reality has become even more distressing. In Pune alone, nearly 2,500 employees have been forced to resign or have been abruptly removed in recent weeks," NITES said. When contacted, TCS said, "The misinformation shared here is inaccurate and purposefully mischievous. Only a limited number of employees have been affected by our recent initiative to realign skills in our organization." "Those affected have been provided due care and severance, as is due to them in each of the individual circumstances." The company, in June, announced laying off about 2 per cent, or 12,261 employees, of its global workforce this year, with the majority of those impacted belonging to middle and senior grades. It has demanded that Maharashtra Chief Minister stand with the affected families in their "darkest hour" and direct the state's labour department to immediately investigate and stop the alleged illegal terminations. (With PTI inputs)
