Infosys fires trainees who failed tests, union alleges labor violations
BENGALURU, INDIA — IT major Infosys has terminated trainees at its Mysuru campus for failing internal competency tests, marking the second such workforce reduction in two months.
While the company offered affected trainees alternative positions in its Business Process Management division, labor union NITES has escalated complaints to central ministries alleging violations of apprenticeship laws.
Layoffs spark scrutiny over assessment process
Infosys, one of India’s largest IT firms, has come under scrutiny after laying off 30 to 45 trainees at its Mysuru campus for failing internal assessments. This follows a similar incident in February when the company terminated approximately 400 trainees under the same policy.
The affected trainees were reportedly given three attempts to pass the assessments, which are part of Infosys’ foundational training program.
Those who failed were offered an alternative pathway to join the company’s business process management (BPM) division or received a one-month ex-gratia payment and a relieving letter.
Infosys defended its actions, stating that this rigorous assessment process has been in place for over two decades to ensure high-quality talent for its clients. The company emphasized that the training costs for freshers are fully borne by Infosys, and trainees sign an apprenticeship registration form acknowledging these terms.
However, critics, including the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), have raised concerns about the fairness of the process and alleged delays in assessments.
NITES alleges forced terminations and labor law violations
An extensive labor struggle has emerged from these layoffs when NITES accused Infosys of imposing forced terminations while submitting complaints to the Ministry of Labour & Employment. Over 100 dismissed trainees directed their grievances to the Prime Minister’s office (PMO) which led to intervention by the central labor ministry in February.
The Karnataka labor department investigated Infosys regarding labor law violations but decided that no such offenses took place due to their trainees being free from employer-employee duties.
The NITES trade union reports that certain trainees were compelled to write “mutual separation” documents against their will. According to the trade union, terminated staff members required up to two years to enter employment because of extensive waiting times.
The controversy surrounding Infosys’ handling of fresh talent has sparked concerns about corporate management of new recruits despite economic difficulties, even though the company defends its transparent contractual policies.
