In the specific context of unions in the IT/ITES sector, collective bargaining for remuneration and benefits or political activism do not seem to be the primary function of the union. In fact, protection against unfair terminations under the guise of resignations, rampant unethical HR practices form the key purpose of the union.
Besides management and government, unions are important actors on the industrial relations stage. They form 'powerful collectives' that function to empower, and at times, even hedge employees from the other two actors. Despite the contention that unions have lost teeth that they once had, they are rampant in many sectors of the Indian economy (especially manufacturing), but are yet to indicate their activeness and prevalence in the IT/ITES sector. However, there have been intrusion of unions in this sector due to actual or speculation of layoffs by the big giants under the guise of voluntary resignations. Recently, the Forum for IT Employees (FITE) termed these incidents as illegal termination, and approached the state government of Tamil Nadu. There have been intermittent demands for unions in the IT/ITES sector, but these have come only in waves in response to changes in industry (mostly layoffs), and subsided thereafter. In a significant move, the National Confederation of Unites was registered as National Trade Union Confederation by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 2014.
The delinquency of Archaic laws
For the management practitioners and scholars, these are important indications which warrant an elaborate examination. Despite the IT/ITES sector being an important employer of the educated workforce, it is interesting to note that there are very few and active unions in this sector. Unions derive their existence and legitimacy of functioning through legislative mechanisms and laws. These laws have their origins of an era when the IT/ITES industry was non-existent in India, for example, the Trade Union Act of 1926 was formed long before independence, and, the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 came into vogue during independence. Though there have been amendments from time to time, these laws do not explicitly encourage or prohibit formation of trade unions in the IT/ITES sector.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Continuous Learning For Growth
Of late, for organizations particularly in the service sector, people have become the strategy. And, if that is the case, the Learning and Development (L&D) department in organizations, and the industry in general, is likely to witness significant growth in 2017 and the years thereafter.
Creating Open Spaces And Minds
As the boundaries of life between work and home continue to blur, employers and employees are sitting up and are noticing the ways and means to offer and avail a worthwhile experience at the workplace.
Striking The Right Balance
In 2017, an employee in the HR Department of a leading global company received an excel sheet attachment in his official mail. While the content seemed harmless, it was in fact a well disguised Ransomware attack which had in fact placed several companies worldwide in the dock. Ransomware attacks targeting HR departments across the globe have since been in vogue since they possess valuable employee data which can be used to commit crimes such as tax frauds and the like.
The Multifaceted Advantages Of AI
AI can speed and automate data collection, make fundamental observations, systemize HR issues, and differentiate customer and employee profiles. But, corrective measures and final decisions can only be approved by people who can understand how to leverage AI tools to acquire accurate information sans the noise and interpret them the right way.
Engagement Surveys: A Means Or An End?
Surveys are not merely a way to check the pulse of the organisation; they should ideally be used as vehicles to improve the organisation culture, people practices and employee experiences which gradually translate into business success.
What Is And What Needs!
The idea of the best fit works only in a perfect universe. In reality, what talent specialists and hiring managers should focus on is getting the close fitment. They should work with an approach that bridges the gap between what is (available) and what needs to be (done).
A Matter Of Strategic Timing!
The term 'work-life balance' has become a popular chant for all working professionals today. A world of different opinions continue to pervade our lives, with one actually affirming that there truly is no direct relationship between the parallel worlds we live in.
Picture Out Of The Frame
A few months ago, Moon Jae-in, the President of South Korea, made an unusual announcement.
Analysis
It is paramount for a pharmaceutical company to meet the business requirement of regulatory compliance.
How Can They Fire Her?
It is a common phenomenon in the corporate landscape to misinterpret the inability to respond to a query by a Manager as a serious lapse which at times leads to termination of his/her services. As a fallout, not only do they risk losing out a person with superior managerial skills, they also dampen the spirit of the juniors in her department, leading to sinking morale and reduced engagement.
