Amazon summoned by Pune Labour Commissioner

Amazon and union representatives have been summoned to appear at the Pune Labour Commissioner's office on January 17, at 3 pm, to address allegations of illegal layoffs.

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The Pune Labour Commissioner’s office has issued a notice to Amazon, summoning the company for a meeting on January 17, 2023, in connection with its voluntary separation program (VSP). The meeting is being held in response to a complaint made by Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), a welfare organization for IT sector employees in India.

Amazon and union representatives have been summoned to appear at the Pune Labour Commissioner’s office on January 17 at 3 pm, to address allegations of ‘unethical and illegal’ layoffs at the company. 

The e-commerce giant, which employs approximately 100,000 workers in India, has implemented a plan to cut its headcount globally by 18,000, including in its India offices. The commissioner’s office will take necessary action following an inquiry into these layoffs.

Amazon India did not provide a response to VCCircle’s inquiries regarding the matter at the time of publication. In November 2022, the company introduced a voluntary separation programme (VSP) which offered employees the opportunity to resign voluntarily in exchange for certain severance benefits. 

These benefits included 22 weeks of base pay, one week of base salary for every six months of service (up to a maximum of 20 weeks), and other additional benefits.

Amazon had stated that if employees did not participate in the voluntary separation programme (VSP), they may be subject to workforce optimisation, which could result in layoffs. 

The company also noted that it reserves the right to approve or deny employee participation in the programme, giving it the ability to retain some workers while letting others go.

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