CITU to make its foray into the IT sector

Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), a Marxist trade union representing more than three million workers across the country, has decided to venture into the hitherto uncharted territory of Information Technology (IT) sector and fight for the rights of techies.

CITU President M K Pandhe told reporters at the All India Conference of CITU in Bangalore that their organization would soon begin its activities in the IT sector, where many instances of harassment to employees have been reported. “There are more than one million employees in the IT sector across the country. Though the pay is relatively better than other sectors, the working conditions are poor and the employees are severely exploited. We will fight for their rights”, he declared.

Pointing out that a majority of the complaints were emanating from the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, Pandhe said higher salary and better financial benefits had forced the employees to suffer such harassment meted out by the managements silently.

CITU would like to begin its activities in the IT sector from Bangalore, which is the IT hub of the country, he added. “There are about one million employees in the IT sector presently. This number is expected to double soon”, he said and added that CITU had planned a three-tier approach including organizing the software professionals.

He pointed out that IT employees are made to work for more than ten hours a day under tremendous pressure. Many companies had only two shifts and the managements follow the “hire and fire” system vigorously.
Pandhe said CITU will also urge the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government to bring in a federal legislation to regulate the working conditions in the IT sector