Abstract

In recent years, employees in India’s booming IT sector have faced an unsettling wave of mass layoffs—often sudden, often unexplained. This article dives into the reasons behind these job cuts, from economic slowdowns and rising inflation to the growing influence of artificial intelligence and post-pandemic shifts in business models. While traditional industries are protected by labour laws like the Industrial Disputes Act, IT professionals find themselves in a legal grey area. Their employment is mostly governed by contracts that often favor the employer, leaving little room for recourse when layoffs happen. The article highlights how this lack of legal protection not only creates job insecurity but also violates basic principles of fairness and natural justice. With India’s new labour codes still waiting to be implemented, the piece calls for urgent reforms to ensure that IT employees aren’t left behind in the evolving landscape of labour rights.

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