TCS Fails to Attend Labour Ministry Meeting on Onboarding Delays and Layoffs; NITES Submits Evidence, Demands Accountability
New Delhi, 1st August 2025: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT company, has come under renewed scrutiny for its recent delay in onboarding over 600 experienced hires and laying off approximately 12,000 employees. At a critical meeting convened today by the Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) in New Delhi, TCS representatives failed to appear, despite a formal notice, drawing sharp criticism from employee representatives and industry observers.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), led by Joint Secretary Mr. Rajneesh Kumar. NITES has been vocal over the alleged indefinite postponement of lateral hires and increasing instances of forced resignations and non-compliance with labour laws at TCS. The organization recently brought these concerns before the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
While TCS did not attend the meeting in person, it sent a written response via email noting that the onboarding has been “deferred temporarily due to prevailing global market conditions.” The company assured authorities that it “is committed to honoring all the offer letters issued” to selected candidates and described such deferments as common industry practice. TCS, however, did not provide any concrete timelines for onboarding, nor any proposal for compensation or support for affected employees.
During the joint discussion, NITES handed over a formal representation seeking a time-bound commitment for onboarding, compensation for the deferment period, mental health support, and opportunities for direct dialogue with TCS. The union highlighted that many impacted professionals remain unemployed, financially strained, and under significant emotional distress. To ensure privacy and avoid possible retaliation, NITES submitted evidence and documentation confidentially to the Labour Commissioner’s office.
In their public statement, NITES President Harpreet Singh Saluja emphasized, “This matter is no longer limited to a set of employees or a single company. It reflects systemic issues needing immediate attention. We urge the Ministry of Labour for timely intervention to ensure fairness and accountability in the IT industry.”
TCS, in its written communication, maintained that the deferments are temporary and reiterated its intent to honor all job offers but questioned the locus standi of NITES to formally intervene in the matter.
The Labour Commissioner’s office took note of the union’s submissions and stated that further documentation would be reviewed. Another opportunity for both parties to resolve the issue amicably may be provided, with the next meeting date to be confirmed if necessary.
As the situation develops, affected employees and their families await clarity and resolution regarding their uncertain job prospects.
