800 employees fired by Tata Technologies - case filled?

Pune-based employee union for IT/ITes firms Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) has filed a complaint with the Labour Commissioner's office in Pune to take legal action against Tata Technologies, Hinjewadi, Pune. Harpreet Saluja, President, NITES said they have received several complaints from employees of Tata Technologies, Hinjewadi, Pune on being "illegally terminated under the pretext of maintaining the profitability of the business during the pandemic."

Saluja explained that the IT firm had put around 400 employees on furlough in June 2020, which essentially meant that they were on the rolls of the firm, and had access to corporate insurance but would not get their monthly compensation. These employees continued to be on leave without pay till 31 December 2020. "IT firms such as Tata Technologies fall under the purview of The Industrial Disputes Act and the Shops and Establishments Act, where there is no concept of furlough, making it illegal," Saluja told Financial Express Online.

On March 1, Saluja said around 800-1000 employees received an email of termination. Financial Express Online has a copy of the email the firm sent to one of the employees who requested anonymity.

"The company has failed to pay the salary of these employees for the last eight months. Because of this illegal termination initiated on 01st March 2021 now jobs of more than 800 employees are at risk. The company has violated Maharashtra state Government's directions, rules and regulations issued on 31st March 2020 and other statutory labour laws," wrote NITES in its complaint to the Labour Commissioner, Pune.

We expect related authorities to take strict measures and set an example to avoid such insensitive behaviour towards employees in future," the letter stated.