Lockdown hits IT firms, many lose jobs

Samaan Lateef

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 8

Nearly 1,500 youths have lost their jobs in the information technology (IT) industry as the communication blockade, which entered the 33rd straight day on Friday, has hit the sector.

Officials say Kashmir-based subsidiaries of various IT companies suffered irreversible losses after their foreign clients switched to other companies outside the Valley to avail services.

“Don’t put yourself in danger by coming to office for an update. We will reach out to you about the decision to move some employees to Delhi,” reads a notice of a reputed IT services company in Srinagar to its staff.

At Rengreth Industrial Park, which comprises prominent IT companies and provides services to clients in the United States, United Kingdom, Middle East and South Africa, “nearly 1,500 employees have been rendered jobless,” said a senior official of an IT company. The companies like Aegis, Lelafe, STC and IQuasar, which do business in crores of rupees, have shifted a few IT professionals to New Delhi to minimise losses.

With an employee strength of 150, the Aegis, opened with much fanfare during the NC-Congress government, has asked its employees to quit. However, with the intervention of the District Magistrate Srinagar, Shahid Choudhary, some employees have been retained. “We don’t know for how long we will be retained,” said an Aegis employee.