The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut is under fire for a proposed workforce reduction plan that could leave hundreds of employees jobless. The plan primarily targets security and sanitation departments, jeopardising approximately 300 positions.
NIT Calicut staff fear sudden termination without adequate notice, jeopardising their ability to meet essential family needs like their children’s education and healthcare.
The looming layoffs cast a shadow over long-serving employees who depend on their income for crucial expenses, including upcoming weddings for their children.
The Registrar of NIT Calicut reportedly instructed contract agencies not to retain staff exceeding 55 years of age in the targeted departments. Furthermore, the institute announced plans to reserve 35 per cent of these positions for retired military personnel and 10 per cent for women. These changes combined could result in a staggering 80 per cent workforce reduction in the affected departments.
A recent Mathrubhumi report sheds light on the anxieties of individuals facing potential job losses, potentially their sole source of income.
This planned reduction follows on the heels of recent layoffs at NIT Calicut, which saw 200 office workers, 35 library assistants, and 120 ad hoc technical assistants dismissed. In response to these tech layoffs, employees have demanded the right to continue working until 60 if the new 55-year age limit only applies to new hires. They express concerns about unfair targeting under the new policy, which grants the Registrar the authority to retain or dismiss staff based on performance, specifically those approaching retirement age or with 30 years of service at the institute.
The proposed layoffs have sparked outrage and a call for transparency from NIT Calicut’s administration. The institute needs to address employee concerns and ensure a fair and just implementation of any workforce reduction plans.
1 Comment
First time I’m seeing a lay off into a government body