IT employees get a lesson or two on labour laws

In the wake of mass layoffs at Verizon Data Services Pvt Limited (VDS), the Forum for IT Professionals organised a workshop on Saturday to make tech employees aware of labour laws applicable to them.

Forum for IT Professionals co-founder Kiran Chadrahas listed various laws such as Shops and Establishment Act, the Minimum Wages Act and Contract Labour Act, stating that IT companies employ workers purely for their skills and so, hiring should not be seen as a favour on them.

A few IT employees revealed how they have been put on the bench and that they fear that they will be laid off post appraisal season.

Others discussed what they described as the ‘north India -south India divide’.

Meanwhile, retrenched VDS employees are likely to move court law next week against their firing.

A meeting between them and lawyers is also expected shortly.

Another conciliation meeting at the Labour Joint Commissioner’s office (Ranga Reddy district) is scheduled for Monday.