Infosys Lays Off 700 Freshers, Sparks Controversy

IT employees’ union NITES alleges unethical practices; Infosys defends terminations citing failure in internal tests.

February 7, 2025: Infosys, one of India’s leading IT companies, has reportedly laid off approximately 700 freshers from its Mysuru campus after they failed to clear internal assessments during the onboarding process. The decision has sparked outrage, with the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) raising concerns over the abrupt terminations and alleged intimidation tactics.

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NITES Raises Alarm

NITES, an IT employees’ union, accused Infosys of unethical practices in handling the terminations. Harpreet Singh Saluja, NITES president, alleged, “Infosys has begun forcefully laying off around 700 campus recruits who were onboarded just a few months ago.” The union also claimed that employees were made to sign confidentiality agreements and were not allowed to carry mobile phones during the termination process.

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“These measures appear to be an attempt to suppress details of the layoffs and prevent employees from documenting their experiences or seeking help,” Saluja added.

Infosys Responds

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Defending its decision, Infosys clarified that the freshers in question failed to clear multiple internal assessments, a longstanding part of the company’s onboarding process. In a statement, Infosys said, “All freshers get three attempts to clear the assessment, failing which they will not be able to continue with the organisation, as is also mentioned in their contract. This process has been in existence for over two decades.”

The company maintained that these assessments are critical for maintaining the required standards and ensuring workforce competence.

Calls for Government Intervention

In response to the layoffs, NITES announced plans to file a formal complaint with the Ministry of Labour and Employment. “This blatant corporate exploitation cannot be allowed to continue. We urge the government to take swift action to uphold the rights and dignity of Indian IT workers,” Saluja emphasized.

Industry Implications

The incident highlights ongoing debates over job security and employee rights in the IT sector, particularly for entry-level recruits. While companies argue for stringent performance benchmarks, unions continue to demand more transparency and fairness in employment practices.

Tags:

Infosys, layoffs, IT sector, NITES, corporate ethics, employee rights, Indian IT industry, internal assessments, fresher jobs, Ministry of Labour.