The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has directed the Karnataka government to initiate an investigation into the delayed onboarding of fresh engineering graduates by Infosys, one of India’s leading IT giants.
The directive comes in response to multiple complaints filed by the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), a Pune-based IT union, alleging exploitation and unprofessional treatment of the selected graduates.
Infosys Freshers Onboarding: Background and Allegations
During the 2022-23 campus recruitment drive, Infosys extended job offers to approximately 2,000 graduates for the roles of System Engineer (SE) and Digital Specialist Engineer (DSE).
However, NITES raised concerns about significant delays in the onboarding process. Harpreet Singh Saluja, the president of NITES, filed the initial complaints on August 20, highlighting the following issues:
Delayed Onboarding: Despite receiving final offer letters, around 700 candidates are still awaiting their joining dates. The delay has caused frustration and uncertainty among the fresh graduates.
Exploitation Claims: NITES alleges that Infosys subjected these young professionals to exploitation and unprofessional treatment during the recruitment process. The union seeks accountability and timely resolution.
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Government Intervention
In June, NITES sought intervention from the Union government, prompting Infosys to issue final offer letters with confirmed joining dates set for October 2024.
However, the situation remained unresolved for a significant number of graduates. Consequently, the Ministry of Labour and Employment stepped in, recognizing that labour law enforcement in this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the state government.
The directive, signed by Regional Labour Commissioner OP Singh, instructs the Karnataka State Labour Commissioner’s office to investigate and take necessary actions.
The directive emphasizes that addressing this issue is the responsibility of the Karnataka government. As the state where Infosys is headquartered, Karnataka must ensure compliance with relevant labour laws.
The Labour Commissioner has been asked to keep both the applicants and the Ministry informed about the progress of the investigation and any subsequent actions taken.
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Impact and Way Forward
The delay in onboarding not only affects the graduates’ career prospects but also raises questions about corporate accountability. Infosys, known for its global presence and commitment to excellence, now faces scrutiny.
The outcome of the government probe will determine whether corrective measures are necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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