Formation of IT Welfare Board sought

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Association of IT Employees has demanded the formation of an IT Welfare Board to prevent the exploitation of labourers in the sector. The Association office-bearers, in a news conference here on Saturday, alleged that the employees in the IT- sector are being denied their legitimate benefits despite their high educational qualifications.  Several IT firms in the state are paying their staff paltry sums as wages and engage them for more than 12 hours of work. Several companies deny benefits such as insurance, ESI, bonus and increment to the staff. C-Dit, Akshaya FlayedThe Association alleged that government agencies such as C-Dit, Kerala State IT Mission, Keltron, Information Kerala Mission, Akshaya and IT@School were acting as  commission agents to execute government works. These agencies enter into agreement with government institutions for executing IT related works and later assign them to private agencies, they alleged. The Association also alleged widespread discrepancies in the Aadhar registration process being carried out by Akshaya centres. It also demanded to control the functioning of private agencies and to ensure data security and protection of civil rights in the Aadhar registration process. The Association leaders also demanded a vigilance inquiry against Akshaya director Koruth V Mathew. Akshaya agencies that questioned the dubious acts of Akshaya director in connection with the purchase of machines for Aadhar registration were suspended, they said. Association of IT Employees state general secretary A D Jayan, district president K S Sunilkumar, district secretary N V Jayakumar and state committee member M S Sangeetha attended the news conference.