“An industrial worker has the right to know the terms and conditions under which he is employed and the rules of discipline which he is expected to follow.” - Labour Investigation Committee, 1946.

 

By the decision to extend the exemption of the Indian IT industry from Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 for five more years, Karnataka state government has belied the interests of employees in the industry. This was done when there were constant appeals by Labour Department as well as Women’s Commission against the blanket exemption. Both the government organs have cited increasing number of cases of unfair practices and sexual harassment reported from the industry. The industry has been blatantly requesting for the exemption even though it could not put forward a valid reason. When the industry boasts of providing world class working condition for the employees the attempt to obtain exemption deceives the common sense. The fear of unionization is unfounded for, as ‘Standing Orders’ is no way related to unionization. What are the employee grievance and sexual harassment redressal mechanism in the absence of “Standing Orders’? When the same IT companies are willing to conform to more stringent labour laws in other countries why should they fear labour laws here. We see the exemption from ‘Standing Orders’ as suppression of rights of employees and an attempt to subdue the voice of employees. 

 

The Indian IT industry has been enjoying this exemption for the past 14 years and further 5 years will make it almost two decades of unchallenged and undue favouritism. We believe an exemption from general rule should be made only on exceptional grounds. It is imperative on the part of the authorities to put forth sound reasons for this decision before the IT employees.

 

ITEC  strongly condemns the extension of exemption from 'Standing Orders' Act.  The exemption  benefits  only  few  Individuals  in the  higher  echelons  of  IT& ITES  Industry  . The  hope  and  aspiration for  a  dignified  life   by  lakhs of   employees in  IT & ITES  industry is jeopardized.  We   request   Government of  Karnataka  to    repeal  the extension  granted  and  setup  a  body   to  ensure  the  implementation of the  Labour  laws  in  IT/ITES  Industry.