Ernakulam/Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Wednesday responded to concerns over forced resignations, layoffs, compensation, and rehabilitation of IT professionals in the state. V. Sivankutty, Minister for General Education and Labour, provided details during a response to an Unstarred Question from Opposition MLAs in the state Legislative Assembly.

The Minister said that, in general, IT institutions in Kerala had not faced complaints of uncontrolled layoffs from unions or individuals. However, he highlighted a specific grievance submitted by Prathidhwani, the welfare and recreation forum of Kerala Infopark employees. The complaint alleged that Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) management at Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram centres was pressuring employees to resign.

Compensation mechanisms for dismissed IT employees

The Labour Department confirmed legal avenues available for employees forced to leave their jobs:

Retrenchment Compensation – Applications are submitted to the District Labour Officer under the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947. The department assured that applications are processed in a time-bound manner.

Gratuity – Applications for gratuity are submitted to the Deputy Labour Commissioner under the Payment of Gratuity Act of 1972.

Regarding rehabilitation programmes for dismissed IT professionals, the department clarified that no schemes have been initiated so far.

Prathidhwani urges government intervention

Recently, Prathidhwani sharply criticised TCS, calling the alleged forced resignation policy “inhumane.” It reaffirmed its solidarity with IT employees and confirmed that it had submitted representations to both State and Central government authorities, urging them to intervene and hold companies accountable for what it termed “unjust practices.”