TCS in spotlight over job cuts: Karnataka government seeks explanation; 12,000 layoffs raise alarm

The Karnataka Labour Minister, Santosh Lad, announced on Thursday that his department has sought clarification from TCS amid their plans to cut 12,000 employees from their workforce.“We got information that the TCS has laid off 12,000 employees. Our department has called TCS officials just to have consultation to know the reason,” the minister stated during a press briefing, as quoted by news agency PTI.TCS announced plans to reduce approximately 2 per cent, equating to 12,261 employees, from its global workforce this year, primarily affecting middle and senior positions.As of June 30, 2025, TCS employed 6,13,069 people, having added 5,000 staff in the April-June quarter. The company stated this restructuring aligns with their aim to become a “future-ready organisation”, emphasising technology investments, AI implementation, market growth, and workforce adjustments.KITU strongly opposed the large-scale dismissals, submitting a formal complaint against TCS to Additional Labour Commissioner G Manjunath.The union’s statement demanded legal action against the management for violating the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, and Karnataka Government’s requirements regarding service reporting.The state minister indicated that discussions with TCS and other companies also addressed the rejection of requests to extend daily working hours to nine or ten hours. He clarified that permission for extended hours would depend on employee consent, stating, “This is subject to the employees’ wishes. Those employees who reject the permission will not be forced to do it.”The Minister expressed concerns about implementing longer working hours, noting the significant time spent commuting in Bengaluru.Considering Bengaluru’s traffic conditions, employees typically spend three to four hours daily travelling, in addition to eight working hours. “As Minister also when I see this proposal of increasing the working hours, I feel that it is not scientific. Increasing working hours can happen for a week or 10 days but not throughout the year in view of Bengaluru traffic,” Lad elaborated, quoted by PTI.He acknowledged the industry representatives’ position that extended hours could benefit both employees and businesses.However, he emphasised that extended hours would require written employee consent and could not be universally implemented.