Kozhikode: Women working in the IT sector have voiced serious concerns over maternity leave and workplace discrimination, saying that availing of maternity leave often comes at the cost of career progression and recognition. They also noted that even marriage can be viewed as a professional setback in some companies.

The issues were raised during a public hearing organised by the Kerala Women’s Commission for women employees in the IT sector. The participants said that maternity leave remains a rare privilege in many firms, and women returning to work often face reduced responsibilities or opportunities.

Some alleged that companies are unwilling to shoulder the financial responsibility during maternity periods. A call was also made to introduce one menstrual leave day per month for women in the IT industry.

Participants shared that in some companies, pregnant employees are promptly added to lists of those to be laid off. During pregnancy, additional workloads are imposed, effectively pushing employees to resign. The promotions, they said, often get stalled for married women due to a perception that they cannot commit adequate time and attention to work.

There were also demands to establish hostel facilities in the Kozhikode Cyberpark area and concerns that even after working long hours, women were not being fairly compensated. Many attendees said the mental stress of the job was overwhelming and requested access to a psychologist or social counsellor. UL Cyberpark COO T.K. Kishore Kumar assured the commission that such services could be arranged in coordination with the Olavanna Grama Panchayat.

A demand was also raised for setting up a crèche within the government-run Cyberpark. Kishore Kumar said the crèche at UL Cyberpark could be made available to employees from the government Cyberpark as well.

Over 100 women employees participated in the public hearing organised at UL Cyberpark. Kerala Women’s Commission Chairperson P. Sathidevi inaugurated the session.