Infosys, a leading Indian technology giant with a market capitalization of nearly $100 billion, is under fire for allegedly keeping over 2,000 recent engineering graduates in hiring limbo for nearly two years. These candidates were recruited for engineering roles and received job offers as early as April 2022, but their start dates have been repeatedly postponed, leaving them in a state of uncertainty.
Unpaid Training and Deferred Joining Dates
Adding to the frustration of these would-be employees, Infosys has reportedly subjected them to multiple rounds of unpaid training. Emails reviewed by The Register indicate that the delayed recruits have participated in various virtual and in-person training programs, with the understanding that successful completion would lead to their eventual hiring. However, these graduates have not received clear communication regarding their joining dates.
According to the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), a labor group representing tech employees, Infosys has compelled the candidates to go through these unpaid training modules, only to inform them later that they must retake the pre-training exam offline. This has caused immense anxiety among the recruits, many of whom have invested significant time and effort in anticipation of starting their careers with Infosys.
The Impact on Graduates and the IT Industry
Harpreet Singh Saluja, president of NITES, has taken up the issue with India’s Ministry of Labour and Employment, filing a formal complaint on behalf of the affected graduates. In the letter, Saluja argues that Infosys’s actions amount to the exploitation of the country’s burgeoning tech talent pool. The continuous delays and unpaid work have left these graduates in a precarious position, unable to move forward in their careers.
Saluja emphasizes that these young engineers are vital to the future of India’s IT industry. By delaying their employment and subjecting them to repeated assessments without compensation, Infosys is not only wasting their time but also undermining their potential contributions to the industry. This, in turn, could have broader implications for India’s economy, as these graduates could be making valuable contributions to the country’s growth.
Infosys CEO Salil Parekh has acknowledged the issue but has provided little clarity on when these delayed hires will be able to start their jobs. In a statement to the Indian news agency PTI, Parekh assured that “every offer that we have given, that offer will be someone who will join the company,” but he also admitted that the company has changed some of the joining dates without providing a clear timeline for when the recruits can expect to begin their employment.
While the company has cited logistical challenges as a possible reason for the delays, many have questioned this explanation, especially as the impacts of COVID-19 have lessened. The lack of transparency and communication from Infosys has only added to the frustration of the affected graduates.
This situation unfolds against the backdrop of a paradox in India’s IT industry. Despite producing a large number of engineering graduates annually, the industry has faced employee shortages in recent years. This is partly due to a mismatch between the skills that new graduates possess and the expertise that companies require. However, this does not fully explain why Infosys, which announced plans to hire 15,000 to 20,000 freshers in its Q1 2024 earnings call, has kept over 2,000 recruits in limbo for so long.
The allegations against Infosys highlight significant concerns about the treatment of fresh graduates in India’s tech industry. The company’s actions have sparked a broader conversation about the ethical responsibilities of large corporations towards their prospective employees. As the Indian IT sector continues to grow, there is a pressing need for companies to ensure that they are not only meeting their own business needs but also supporting the career development of the country’s young professionals.
Moving forward, it will be crucial for Infosys to address these concerns transparently and to provide clear timelines for the onboarding of the delayed recruits. Failure to do so could damage the company’s reputation and erode trust among potential future employees. As the situation develops, industry observers will be watching closely to see how Infosys responds to the mounting pressure and whether it takes meaningful steps to resolve the issue in a manner that respects the time and efforts of the affected graduates.
