FITE sends notice to Novartis International condemning their inhuman labour practices.

Dr. Amit(name changed)  who had been an employee of Novartis India’s IT division is a member of our union as well. We have sent a notice to Novartis stating that the action of termination subjected on Dr. Amit and the consequences he further faced is an action of severe injustice amounting to violation of his right to livelihood.

Based on our interaction with Dr.Amit and evidences with him, we could sense that the action taken on him is nothing but retaliating against an employee who registered a complaint against policy violations, unethical practices like biased approach in giving promotion, hike, rewards happening inside the company and throwing out an employee after exploiting his work. We strongly condemn this cowardice act of revenge by Novartis Management. Retaliating in an offensive manner to employee’s charge of potential misconduct inside company is an unethical practice to be followed. Instead of protecting the confidentiality of Dr. Amit and constituting a credible inquiry on the reported misconduct, Novartis has tried to bury down the incident inside company premises and has unfolded vendetta on him. Further, the company has stooped to charging him with “plagiarism” in return for the abstract/idea he submitted for welfare of the company. Dr.Amit, from his own genuine interest for the company had proposed the idea despite this particular work not being part of his actual job description. With no justifying evidences, the management unilaterally declaring his work as an attempt of “plagiarism” is arbitrary in nature. There is no ‘show cause notice’ or memo issued in advance to allow Dr.Amit to explain his opinion.  This action also translates into management’s retribution towards Dr.Amit’s earlier action of complaint towards misconduct at office. Dr.Amit who had been suffering due to ‘vertebral disc prolapse and degeneration’ significantly because of spending long hours at office is now facing severe mental stress because of the harassment conducted by Novartis. Novartis’ sudden impugned termination and the unjust charge of ‘plagiarism’ on him has resulted in not able to find a job in other suitable companies as well. This is in violation of fundamental human rights.

Dr. Amit has already moved the Honorable High Court Hyderabad with all evidences required to present his case. Looking in to the seriousness and importance of the case, Forum for IT Employees is assuring full support to Dr. Amit’s struggle for justice and his rights as an employee.

We have insisted Novartis to settle the dispute before court’s intervention by revoking the termination order served on Dr. Amit and reinstate him in his regular services to the company. Further, we have insisted to investigate on to the misconduct charges raised by Dr. Amit with a credible inquiry and in an unbiased manner. We have demanded the management to reinstate Dr. Amit back within one week’s time of the notice.

Novartis’ inaction on reinstatement has drawn us to take serious campaign against their unethical practices and inhumane approaches towards employees. Public protest against Novartis management with the support of various labor unions in Hyderabad will be planned.

Parimala,
President, F.I.T.E. – Tamil Nadu.