The large IT workforce in Bangalore remained largely insulated from the 48-hour strike that commenced here on Wednesday.
Companies had already put in place “strategies” to work around the strike, which was declared months in advance. As a result on Monday morning it was business as usual in most IT companies, employees said.
Several companies had arranged extra cabs and pick up timings were advanced by a few hours. Even those who had not signed up for cab facilities were offered pick up and drop. Drop timings have been postponed by a few hours, starting after 7 p.m.
BPOs, where business continuity is more critical, have employed more drastic measures. For instance, in a mid-sized BPO here, employees were asked to stay overnight in order to be able to work the shift that starts around noon.
In the less critical teams, companies asked employees to either apply for leave or compensate for the two days by working on successive Saturdays (February 23 and March 2).
An IT employee, working with a large IT MNC, said that because hotels around the office are shut free food is being provided at office. “In fact, today we're clocking in more hours and cannot leave mid-way without HR permission. So, in essence it is full productivity on a strike day,” she quipped.
Nurses exams put off
The Karnataka Karnataka State Diploma Nurses Education Board has postponed the practical exams scheduled to be held for Wednesday on account of two-day nation-wide strike called by trade unions.
Students of the three year General Nurses and Midwifery Diploma course were told by the authorities that the examinations had been put off as examiners were not available. No fresh date has been announced yet.
