NITES Flags Mental Health Crisis; Demands New AI Layoff Policy

Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) has issued a high-priority call for immediate government intervention to safeguard white-collar workers. 

As major tech conglomerates execute massive “AI-led” layoffs in 2026, the union argues that the current legal framework is insufficient to protect employees from “cold and impersonal” terminations.

Reskilling Over Retrenchment

NITES President Harpreet Singh Saluja emphasized that while companies are reporting record profits and committing billions to AI infrastructure, the workforce is bearing the brunt of “qualitative restructuring.” 

NITES is demanding that tech firms prioritize reskilling initiatives for existing employees rather than treating job cuts as a first-line solution. 

“If companies are investing in AI, they must also invest in their human capital to manage that transition,” Harpreet stated, highlighting that many layoffs are driven by market “efficiency signaling” rather than financial distress.

Read Also: Oracle Layoffs 2026: Fired Employees Placed on Garden Leave

NITES Push for Mandatory Safeguards

The union has formally urged policymakers to enforce a structured framework that includes:

• Mandatory Notice Periods: Extending standard timelines to allow for adequate career transition.
• Fair Severance Norms: Standardizing compensation based on tenure to prevent arbitrary pay-outs.
• Accountability in Mass Layoffs: Requiring companies to provide detailed justifications and proof of due process before government authorities.
• Mental Health Support: Addressing the “personal crisis” of sudden job loss, which NITES links to rising anxiety and financial instability among tech professionals in expensive urban hubs.

Ending the “6 AM Email” Culture

NITES specifically condemned the emerging “automated termination” culture, where employees receive pre-dawn emails and face immediate deactivation of office IDs and VPNs. 

The union argues this practice strips workers of their dignity and bypasses the Shops and Establishments Act requirements.

By seeking a dedicated policy for the IT sector, NITES aims to shift the narrative from “flexible hiring” to “responsible employment,” ensuring that India’s digital growth does not come at the cost of basic labor rights.

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