Bhubaneswar, Dec. 14: Security has been tightened on the campus of Infosys, a leading software company, following termination of 300 local youths, who had been employed through contractual outsourcing agencies.
The youths, belonging to six villages of Daruthenga and its adjoining areas, had been engaged by the company for housekeeping and hospitality related jobs.
The Anchalik Unnayan Parishad, Chandaka, an organisation of local residents, has decided to intensify their agitation against the IT company and the agencies for retrenchment of the employees.
The association demanded reinstatement of the workers, who had been employed by the agencies for the software company for the past 15 years.
Madhab Behera, a gardener who had joined the IT major in 2000, alleged that they were terminated without prior notice.
"I was recruited in 2000 by a Tamil Nadu-based firm and have been working here since then. When I joined, I used to get a monthly salary of Rs 1,800. My salary was Rs 9,400, when I was terminated this month all of a sudden. I have lost my livelihood, and it is now extremely difficult for me to look after my family members," said the 35-year-old resident of Daruthenga.
Sources said the youths were engaged with Infosys through four private companies. However, the problem started in November when 26 of them were asked to move to the second campus of the firm at Infovalley complex near Jatni on the city outskirts. But, they refused to shift.
Yesterday, the parishad members held a meeting on the issue and decided to intensify their agitation.
"Their services were terminated after more than a decade. Now, these people are unable to feed their families. We have also submitted a memorandum to the Infosys authorities to take corrective action in the matter," said parishad president Bharat Chandra Routray.
However, despite several attempts, Infosys authorities could not be contacted for their comments.
"We are keeping a watch on the situation and have deployed one platoon of police in front of the firm to prevent any untoward incidents. If necessary, additional police will be deployed," said inspector in charge of Infocity police station Manoj Kumar Samant.
However, despite repeated attempts there was no response from the office of the Infosys chief in the state on the issue.
Rajas case
Students of three government medical colleges in the state on Monday filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court.
The students have appealed to the apex court to direct the state government to stay the admission of the Jaring-based Sardar Rajas Medical College and Hospital students in five medical colleges as ordered by Orissa High Court till the matter is resolved.
