Centre asks Karnataka labour dept to probe ‘exploitation of graduates’ by Infosys

IT employees union Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate had filed a complaint with the Ministry of Labour and Employment alleging that Infosys had deferred over 2,000 campus recruitments for over two years. | Photo Credit: Reuters

The Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner under the Ministry of Labour and Employment has directed the Karnataka Labour Department to investigate the alleged exploitation of young IT graduates by Bengaluru-based tech firm Infosys Ltd after it delayed its campus recruitments in 2022.

In a direction addressed to the Karnataka Labour Commissioner on September 3, the office of the Chief Labour Commissioner said, “As the appropriate Government to take action under the relevant labour law in this case is the State Government, you are requested to look into the matter and take appropriate action under intimation to the applicant and this office.”

The direction, signed by regional labour commissioner, OP Singh, was issued in response to an email received on August 20, 2024, from Harpreet Singh Saluja, president of the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), about the alleged exploitation of young professionals by Infosys.

The Knights had earlier filed complaints with the Ministry of Labour and Employment in June and August, alleging that Infosys had deferred over 2,000 campus placements for over two years.

Knights said Infosys has finally issued offer letters, but only 1,000 fresh graduates were issued offer letters on September 2. The union has also confirmed that the starting date for these new appointments is October 7, 2024. The labour ministry has advised applicants to pursue any further correspondence with the labour commissioner of Karnataka if necessary.

Infosys did not respond. the hinduI had asked about this matter when it was published.