Infosys Under Scrutiny for Mass Termination of Over 400 Trainee Employees
Infosys, one of India’s leading IT companies, is facing scrutiny after it terminated over 400 trainee employees in a single day. The incident, which has sparked widespread controversy, saw security personnel escorting the affected employees out of the premises. This sudden dismissal has raised concerns, prompting the Ministry of Labour to take serious note of the matter.
Reports suggest that the layoffs were not only abrupt but also caused significant distress among the terminated employees. In response, a formal complaint was lodged by the affected employees, along with the IT welfare association NITES (Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate), to the Ministry of Labour. They have requested the government to intervene in this situation.
The Ministry of Labour has since written to the Karnataka state government, urging them to take necessary actions to address the issue. The ministry recommended intervention in the mass layoffs and asked the state authorities to look into the situation.
The incident has drawn attention to the plight of some employees who were left stranded after their termination. One report revealed that a young woman from Madhya Pradesh pleaded with Infosys for permission to stay in her hostel for one more night, as she had nowhere to go, but her request was allegedly denied. As a result, several employees were forced to spend the night on the streets near the Infosys campus. Photos of the situation quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation.
In its defense, Infosys clarified that the company follows a strict evaluation process for its trainees. According to the company, trainees undergo initial training at its Mysore campus and must pass internal assessments to qualify for permanent employment. Infosys also stated that employees are allowed three attempts to clear these assessments, and failure to do so results in termination, as outlined in the agreement signed by the employees.
The incident has raised questions about the treatment of employees during the probationary period and the impact of such mass layoffs on workers’ lives. The Ministry of Labour’s intervention highlights the growing concern over employee welfare and company practices in India’s rapidly evolving corporate sector.
