Layoffs in IT sector to cut costs: Techie group 'Progressive Techies' attempting to find new jobs for maximum people

KOCHI: Techies' group 'Progressive Techies' and Pratidhwani are trying to give a helping hand those who are losing their jobs due to cost-cutting and layoffs. They will intervene at the government and company levels in the employment issues of the IT sector, which does not have trade unions. The personal and work experience details of those who have been laid off will be collected through a Google form and shared with other companies. The office bearers said that many people have been provided with replacement jobs and many layoffs have been avoided.

Medium and small companies are also following the methods of big IT companies to reduce employees. People with years of experience to beginners have lost their jobs. A large company in Kerala has laid off more than 600 people.

Global competition, recession, cost-cutting, and the spread of artificial intelligence (AI) are cited as reasons for the layoffs. Employees are also being laid off without being given new projects after the contract period expires.

Cheated by promising a job

A techie who was working in a company for half a lakh rupees was given a letter by another leading company promising a higher position and salary. The man, who had submitted his notice period to resign after a month as per the law, was not given an appointment by the second company. The man, who was engaged to be married, was left in a pickle. The repayment of his bank loan was also delayed because he was unemployed for two months.

'The count of those who have lost their jobs is not complete. Layoffs are continuing. The effort is to ensure a replacement job for maximum people".

- Anish Pantalani, Progressive Techies

'It is not easy to provide equivalent jobs to those with decades of experience. However, efforts are continuing.'

- Ashik C Sreenivasan, Pratidhwani