Don’t axe jobs, DCM tells IT firms
Disinfected BMTC buses can ferry staff
BENGALURU:
Deputy Chief minister Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan has stated that upto 50% of the IT-BT workforce can work from their officed after April 20.
Speaking to reporters after a video conference with heads of IT-BT firms on Friday, he said measures had been for passes for the workforce, public transportation, screening facilities and internet facilities.
He said, “It is not right for companies to shut shop or lay off employees citing reasons like not receiving new work orders or projects. Finding new jobs at this point of time will be difficult. Instead, companies could find better ways of dealing with the situation, including measures such as pay adjustments, rather than resorting to retrenchment. This opinion has found support during the discussions and companies are expected to act accordingly.”
INFECTION WORRY
He also said, “Companies have expressed concerns about handling the situation in case any employee is detected as infected post the offices resuming work, and have requested suitable guidelines. Appropriate guidelines will be provided in consultation with the Department of Health and Family Welfare. Companies have also agreed to follow measures such as maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene, social distancing and screening facilities in the premises.”
“As soon as the restrictions are relaxed, the risk of infection spreading is high. Precautions were taken and early efforts were made to prevent infections. But we will have to learn to live with precaution against Corona in the coming days. Awareness among people has increased too. Continuous screening can help detect infections and treating such persons will help bring the situation under control, ” he said.
Due to the non-availability of taxis, disinfected BMTC buses can be rented for facilitating commuting by following relevant safety protocols, he said.
PAT FOR SECTORS
Praising the city’s IT/BT sector, Dr Ashwath Narayan said, ‘It is a matter of pride for us that our companies have been able to make a name for themselves internationally by continuing their work and keeping their international commitments during this period. Bengaluru city has handled this situation better than many other global cities.”
Stalwarts of the sector, including Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman of the IT Vision Group Kris Gopalakrishnan, Prashant Prakash of Accel Partners, Shrikumar Suryanarayan of Able India and Prakash Gopalan of BSNL took part in the video conference.
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