IIDEA STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE ILLEGAL CLOSURE OF TECHNICOLOR INDIA

IIDEA STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE ILLEGAL CLOSURE OF TECHNICOLOR INDIA!

IIDEA STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE TERMINATED EMPLOYEES OF TECHNICOLOR INDIA!

The recent illegal closure of Technicolor India, which have left over 2,500 employees in Bengaluru and Mumbai without jobs, are a glaring example of the systemic exploitation and disregard for workers’ rights in the IT and ITES sector. The IIDEA strongly condemns this heartless treatment of employees and the blatant violation of labor laws. The fact that job security is treated as a joke in the IT industry, and employees are discarded without compensation, is a shameful reflection of corporate greed and governmental apathy.

Technicolor India’s abrupt closure, announced during a town hall meeting is a shocking betrayal of trust and is in violation of Section 25-0 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. This provision mandates that where an establishment with over 100 workers seeks closure, it must first take prior permission of the appropriate government, no such permission has been procured in this case. Thousands of workers, who have dedicated their skills and time to the company, were left jobless overnight without severance pay, notice periods, or even basic dignity. This is not just a failure of corporate responsibility but also a failure of the Indian government to enforce labor laws and protect workers from such exploitation.

The IIDEA also questions the complicity of the Indian government in allowing companies like Technicolor India to operate with impunity. Despite the existence of labor laws designed to safeguard workers, corporations continue to exploit legal loopholes, leaving employees vulnerable to sudden job losses and financial ruin. The government’s inaction in holding such companies accountable sends a dangerous message that workers’ rights are secondary to corporate profits.

Moreover, in June 2024, the Karnataka government has renewed the exemption given to IT/ ITes establishments under the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946. This act mandates that employers to define clear employment terms including work hours, leave policies, wage rates, disciplinary procedures, procedures of terminations, etc. Exemption from this act is an outrightly anti people measure which gives impunity to the employers.

Adding to this injustice is the harsh reality of working conditions in the IT sector. More than half of tech professionals in India work an average of 52.5 hours per week, surpassing the national average of 47.7 hours per week. About 43% of Indian tech workers experience health concerns related to their work, including stress, burnout, and physical ailments. Despite these sacrifices, employees are callously laid off without severance pay or compensation, further exacerbating their financial and emotional distress.

The IIDEA demands immediate action to address this crisis. Rather that giving exemptions, the government must implement existing labour law and further strengthen them, to ensure fair compensation, enforce stricter regulations on layoffs, and hold corporations accountable for unethical practices. The IT industry must prioritize the well-being of its workforce, ensuring job security, reasonable working hours, and access to healthcare.

The IIDEA stands in solidarity with the affected employees of Technicolor India and all tech workers who face exploitation. We call upon the government, corporations, and industry stakeholders to recognize that employees are not expendable resources but the backbone of the IT sector. It is time to end this culture of exploitation and build an industry that values and protects its workers.

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