The IIDEA-IT and ITES Democratic Employees Association vehemently condemns the Karnataka Labour Department

IIDEA CONDEMNS THE INTERIM REPORT OF THE KARNATAKA LABOUR DEPARTMENT FINDING NO LEGAL VIOLATION BY INFOSYS IN ITS UNILATERAL TERMINATION OF SEVERAL HUNDRED WORKERS

The IIDEA-IT and ITES Democratic Employees Association vehemently condemns the Karnataka Labour Department’s decision to absolve Infosys of accountability in the unjust layoffs of several hundred freshers who endured a 2.5-year wait period to join the company. This report, which claims “no employer-employee relationship existed,” is a dangerous misinterpretation of labor ethics and disregards the lived realities of these young professionals.

The trainees in question were engaged in prolonged training programs, during which they contributed to company projects and aligned their skills with Infosys’ operational requirements. To argue that their relationship with Infosys was not an employer-employee nature is disingenuous. These individuals were not passive students but active participants in a 6 month training corporate ecosystem, adhering to company timelines, protocols, and expectations. The extended 2.5-year engagement marked by delayed onboarding due to Infosys’ internal decisions created an implicit contractual obligation. By retaining their services in a liminal state, Infosys benefited from their preparedness while denying them formal employment safeguards, a blatant exploitation of power asymmetry.

The abrupt termination, compounded by the heartless directive to vacate hostels immediately, exemplifies corporate callousness. Stranded without logistical or financial support, these young employees were left to grapple with sudden unemployment, travel burdens, and housing insecurity a gross violation of their dignity. Infosys’ actions reflect a disturbing trend where corporations prioritize profit over people, weaponizing technicalities to evade accountability.

IIDEA asserts that such practices must not be normalized. Labour laws must evolve to recognize modern employment dynamics, including prolonged training phases, as de facto employer-employee relationships. We demand that regulatory bodies reassess this case through an ethical lens, acknowledging the socio-economic vulnerabilities of freshers. Infosys must be held responsible for compensating affected trainees and reinstating commitments.

This case sets a perilous precedent for India’s IT sector, enabling systemic exploitation of entry-level talent. IIDEA stands in solidarity with the affected employees and urges collective action to uphold labour justice. We call upon policymakers, civil society, and the industry to reject such practices and ensure corporate accountability in safeguarding workers’ rights.

Long Live the Unity of Workers in the IT/ ITes Sector!
Inquilab Zindabad!