Tech Workers Protest TCS Over Mass Layoffs and “Exploitative” Policies
Bengaluru — Dozens of members of the IT & ITES Democratic Employees Association (IIDEA) demonstrated outside the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Whitefield campus on Friday, September 5th, condemning the tech giant’s termination of over 12,000 employees and a new internal policy they label as deeply exploitative.
The protest highlights growing unrest within India’s flagship IT sector, driven by fears that the industry’s pursuit of automation and artificial intelligence is coming at the cost of job security for experienced professionals.
Mid and Senior-Level Professionals in the Crosshairs
At the heart of the dispute is TCS’s decision to lay off 12,261 employees, a move the IIDEA claims disproportionately targets mid- and senior-level personnel. The association alleges this strategic culling is a cost-cutting measure disguised as a performance-related action.
Compounding the issue is a new “deployment policy” unveiled by the company. Protesters decry a mandate within this policy that requires employees to maintain a minimum of 225 “billable days” per year—a figure they argue is unrealistically high and designed to force resignations without severance pay.
“We believe automation and AI should improve work-life balance, not destroy livelihoods,” a representative for IIDEA stated. “Instead of firing workers, TCS should reskill employees, reduce excessive work hours, and ensure job security during technological transitions.”
Rescinded Offers Leave Hundreds in Limbo
Beyond the layoffs, the association raised serious concerns over TCS’s recruitment practices. They claim over 500 professionals who received formal offer letters with joining dates set for July 2025 are now in a state of professional and financial limbo, having resigned from their previous positions only to be left without a start date or clarity from TCS.
This lack of communication has left affected individuals facing significant uncertainty, with many having already made major life decisions based on the promised employment.
A List of Demands for Corporate Accountability
The demonstrators presented a clear list of demands for the company. They have called for an immediate halt to all layoffs and a cessation of forced resignations under what they describe as “false claims.” For those already dismissed, the group demands fair severance packages, continued healthcare coverage, and transitional support.
Furthermore, the IIDEA is pushing for greater corporate transparency, insisting TCS clearly disclose the criteria used for the terminations and engage in consultations with worker representatives before any future restructuring.
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The core of their argument rests on the belief that technological advancement should benefit the workforce, not replace it. “The goal of automation should be to reduce the excessive workload on employees, not to eliminate the employees themselves,” the IIDEA spokesperson concluded.
The protest at one of India’s largest IT hubs signals a potential shift in the sector, as employees begin to collectively organize against practices they view as unfair. As of now, TCS has not issued an official public response to the demonstration or the specific allegations made by the employee association.
Quotes
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“We believe automation and AI should improve work-life balance, not destroy livelihoods.”
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“The goal of automation should be to reduce the excessive workload on employees, not to eliminate the employees themselves.”
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“Protesters decry a mandate… requiring employees to maintain a minimum of 225 ‘billable days’ per year—a figure they argue is unrealistically high and designed to force resignations.”
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“Instead of firing workers, TCS should reskill employees, reduce excessive work hours, and ensure job security during technological transitions.”
