Pune: Labour Office Issues Notice to Wipro BPO for Putting Over 300 Employees on Bench, Wage Cuts
Pune, May 5, 2020: Based on a complaint from the IT union National Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) that over 300 employees may lose jobs, Maharashtra government’s Pune Labour office has issued notice to Wipro BPO located in Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park Phase 2 in Hinjawadi. The employees said that they will get salaries for two months and in this period they could not be placed in other process or projects, they will lose their jobs.
The complaint letter dated May 1 stated, “On behalf of NITES, Maharashtra we have received complaints from employees of Wipro BPO Pune Phase 2 Hinjawadi regarding putting employees on the bench to maintain the PROFITABILITY of business under COVID19 pandemic. The company has also notified the employees on 23rd April 2020 that they are on the bench with immediate effect. Because of this now pay and jobs of more than 300 employees are at risk. The company has violated Maharashtra state Government’s and Central Government’s directions, rules and regulations.”
NITES demanded strict action against Wipro BPO as the organization has failed to follow basic policies of human rights and adhere to the government’s guidelines. “We expect the central, state government authorities to update us with a framework to tackle such situation. This issue has to be dealt on priority and with a proper action plan in place. We expect related authorities to take strict measures and set an example to avoid such insensitive behaviour towards employees. Your prompt action will safeguard the jobs of many IT employees”, the complaint states.
Accordingly, Pune Government Labour Officer SH Choubhe issued notice to Wipro BPO stating that the company should follow government instructions and not terminate jobs of employees during the lockdown, otherwise legal action will be taken against the company.
When contacted by Punekarnews.in, Wipro Limted stated, “As mentioned earlier, the speculation related to the workforce is unfounded and has no basis. Wipro categorically denies these malicious rumors. Wipro reiterates that there are no retrenchment plans. The company has well defined policies and people practices in place to take care of its employees.”
NITES General Secretary Harpreet Singh Saluja said, “We urge the IT, ITES, BPO, KPO and Telecom companies to abide by government directions. In such a difficult situation the companies should take decisions keeping the welfare of its hardworking employees in mind who are the backbone of the economy and any organization.”
He further added, “The team is highly thankful to the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Labour Minister Dilip Walse Patil for taking cognizance of our various complaints regarding layoffs, deduction of wages or earned leaves, loss of payment and various other unfair labour practices in IT Industry. The Labour Commissioner Maharashtra offices of Mumbai and Pune has helped NITES enormously in raising concerns of more than 39000 IT and ITES employees in Maharashtra State. With huge respect we are thankful to Additional Labour Commissioner A D Kakatkar, Additional Labour Commissioner Shailendra Pol, Dy Labour Commissioner Vikas Panvelkar, Asst Labour Commissioner Nikhil Walke, ALC Abhay Gite, ALC Sameer Chavhan, ALC Shri Chetan Jagtap, GLO D D Pawar, GLO S H Choubhe as without their support this mammoth task couldn’t be accomplished.”
