In a startling case, Labor Commissioner in Chandigarh has issued a notice to a Gurgaon firm, for enforcing leave without pay on 300 employees, and forcefully firing 150 employees.
This is a clear violation of Govt directive on the terminations of employees during lockdown.
And, it’s an unethical way of conducting business as well.
The Govt notice was issued after a complaint by National Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping IT and ITeS employees across the nation.
This is what happened..
Authbridge Research Enforces LwP For 300 Employees
Authbridge Research Services Pvt Ltd, is a data solution company based out of Gurgaon (Gurugram). They are a big name in this niche, and in 2017, ASSOCHAM gave them Service Excellence Award in Background Screening.
However, ever since the lockdown started, the business is down, and they were eagerly looking for a solution to cut down the losses.
Enforcing Leave Without Pay and forcefully firing employees seemed the solution which will work.
On April 27th, the company forcefully fired 150 employees, and informed 300 other employees that their salary will be stopped for 6 months since they are applying for leave without pay, for the next 6 months.
But none of these employees had agreed to resign or agreed to apply for leave without pay.
The shocked employees are now at a position wherein they cannot apply for any job, since the lockdown has forced companies to stop recruitment, and they don’t have any job.
Based on the complaints raised by the employees, NITES sent a letter to the Labor Commissioner in Chandigarh. This issue is critical, since this action of enforced leaves and terminations violate Haryana State Government’s The Minimum Wages Act and Central Government’s directions, rules and regulations.
In the letter, NITES said, “The company has notified 300+ employees on 27th April’20 about their “Forced Leave of Absence” and “Termination”. Because of this now more than 300+ employees are stuck without any pay to support their daily survival needs that too away from family. The company has violated Haryana State Government’s The Minimum Wages Act and Central Government’s directions, rules and regulations.”
Harpreet Saluja, Founder & General Secretary, National Information Technology Employees Senate NITES (Maharashtra) commented: “Once again, a company has decided to focus on their profitability, instead of focussing on their most important assets: Their employees. By enforcing leave without pay and forcefully firing employees, Authbridge Research is has broken all ethical, moral laws, and have made a mockery of their employee’s loyalty. We will fight against this.”
Labor Commissioner Issues Notice Against Authbridge Research
The letter made its impact, the Labor Commissioner has issued a notice to Authbridge Research. In the notice, Authbridge Research has been asked to immedietely roll back their unethical actions.
Commenting on this development, Gaurav Sahai , Convener – Delhi NCR, National Information Technology Employees Senate NITES said, “It is a highly condemnable act by Authbridge Research Services Pvt Ltd, Gurgaon to send around 300+ employees on 6 months forced leaves stating that Basic SALARY will be given to them. Also around 150 employees have been terminated by forced resignation.
Employees are being forced to apply all earned leaves and then rest will be considered leaves without pay resulting in loss of pay.
We are thankful to the Labour Commissioner Office Gurugram Haryana for taking cognizance of our complaint and issuing a notice to the Company promptly to stop illegal terminations and unfair labour practices.”
This is a developing story. We will keep you updated, as more details come in.
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