Forum for IT Employees welcomes Tamil Nadu government’s decision to uphold the democratic rights of IT employees. Replying to a petition filed by New Democratic Labour Front (NDLF) – IT Employees Wing, Principal Secretary of Tamil Nadu Labour and Employment Department Kumar Jayant said: “IT company employees also are free to form trade unions and redress their grievances through evoking the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act 1947. Any trade union with IT employees as its members can rise industrial disputes under section 2 (k) of the act and seek remedy.” FITE congratulates NDLF – IT Wing for their effort in ensuring rights of IT employees are not violated.
At present the multibillion dollar IT industry which employs close to four million people has been exempted from labour laws in most of Indian states. This exemption allows the companies to flout standard labour policies practiced internationally. In the absence of any labour protection, the employees cannot form union, redress their grievances lawfully or have any collective bargaining power. TN government’s clarification has provided hope for IT employees of other states as well. F.I.T.E vouches to take the struggle of IT employees forward to secure democratic and just rights of IT employees.
Press Release: On Tamil Nadu Government’s Clarification that IT/ITES Employees are being covered by Industrial Disputes Act
