India-based union KITU warms IT firms against massive layoffs
India-based Karnataka State IT/ITES Employees Union (KITU) has issued a warning to software companies against massive layoffs during the Covid-19 pandemic.
KITU shared this opinion after discovering the dismissals made by DXC Technology at its Bengaluru office in India. Over 100 DXC Technology employees talked to the union saying that they have been forced to resign.
The union started a campaign supporting employees in the company and urging them to reject forceful resignations. KITU General Secretary Ullas Chumalaparambil stated that businesses in Karnataka that have 300 employees or more, should get government approval before enforcing layoffs.
Chumalaparambil said, “Layoffs are permitted only for specific reasons and under certain regulations defined in the Industrial Disputes Act. DXC is in the news infamously for its unethical and inhumane method of layoffs.
Affected employees spoke to KITU about their ordeal and victims were still in a state of shock. Many employees unwillingly signed the separation and no dues letters fearing humiliation and termination.”
“KITU warns DXC Technology that as per the Industrial Disputes Act 1947 section 2(ra), Unfair [labor] practices, it is an offense on the part of an employer to force an employee to resign. [An employee] has all the legal right to refuse to sign the resignation”, he also added.
