The Hindu Business Line : Unions won't harm IT industry: Pandhe

The Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU), affiliated to the CPI(M), has formed trade unions in the IT sector in West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala, and unions will also be formed in other States such as Tamil Nadu, according to Mr M.K. Pandhe, President of the union.

Mr Pandhe was addressing newspersons and his comments assume significance in the light of reported reservations expressed by West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, on the issue. He is reported to have expressed the view that there was no need to form unions in the sector.

Without alluding to Mr Bhattacharjee's reported comments, Mr Pandhe said that the IT industry need not have apprehensions on that count.

"Unions will not harm the industry. We are not forming unions to create problems or impede the growth of the industry. We only want compliance with labour laws, employment guarantee and implementation of rules and regulations. If the employers can ensure that, they need not worry."

He added that IT employees too belong to the working class and, therefore, they too had the right to form unions and take recourse to collective bargaining; if that fails, as a last resort they could strike work for their demands to be met.

"I do not see why the IT sector should be made an exception. The majority of the workers in call centres and other IT companies are on contract basis. There are no regular working hours and there is no employment guarantee. Therefore, there is need for unions in the sector," said Mr Pandhe.

He added that there was a need for comprehensive legislation for the IT sector, "as it currently comes under the Shops and Establishments Act, which is not adequate."