The Indian IT Hypocrisy - Work Hard, Pay Less
Captain Uday Prasad
The Indian IT industry, once hailed as the golden child of the economy, is now steeped in a world of contradictions, hypocrisy, and sheer exploitation.
The “Software Engineer” Myth
What does it mean to be a software engineer in India today? For most, it’s a title worn with pride, a badge of honor. But here’s the shocking truth – the so-called software engineers aren’t actually “coding” anymore. Over the years, as they climb the corporate ladder, they increasingly move away from the core technical work. They stop programming, as a matter of fact they hate the idea of coding, they stop problem-solving, and they move into roles that are far removed from the original job description. Yet, they continue to proudly call themselves engineers. Why? Is it the title that defines them, or the work?
The Big Hypocrisy
It’s not just the engineers who are at fault, it’s the system that rewards them with inflated titles without demanding the skills that should come with them. At the end of the day, these so-called “non-techies” don't even deserve the title of software engineers. What a joke. It's a glaring contradiction that no one seems to address, and it raises an important question: what does it really mean to be an engineer in the Indian IT industry?
The Lopsided Contracts and Overworked Employees
Now, let’s talk about the infamous contracts. When you sign up for an IT company in India, you’ll find yourself agreeing to a contract that clearly defines working hours — say 9 AM to 6 PM with an hour for lunch. Sounds fair, right? But in reality, no one sticks to these hours. In my own extensive career in IT, I’ve always ended up working much more than the stipulated 40 hours a week, and guess what? No overtime pay, no compensation, nothing. And now, some corporate bigwigs are telling us that employees should be working 70-90 hours a week. It’s not just absurd; it’s exploitation in its purest form. These young professionals, desperate to succeed, have no choice but to comply with unreasonable demands from their bosses. They’re so afraid to say “no” because they don’t want to jeopardize their jobs or disappoint their families. But at what cost?
The "Wealthy CXOs" Conundrum
Let’s pause for a moment and reflect on the wealth of the top brass in these companies. These folks are sitting on mountains of cash, enjoying the fruits of their labor while their employees are grinding away, underpaid and overworked. What exactly are these CXOs doing to earn their lavish lifestyles? The answer is simple: exploiting the hard work of their employees. If you take a moment to look at the billing rates of these so-called “software engineers,” it’s mind-blowing. A typical developer in India may be earning Rs. 50,000 a month, which works out to around Rs.284 per hour, assuming a standard 8-hour workday. But these same developers are billed to clients at a rate of $30 per hour — a whopping Rs 241,920 per month! Multiply that by 1,000 employees, and you get a turnover of nearly Rs. 242 million per month. Calculate the profit percentage with the above number. It runs to about 787 % . It’s a massive profit margin, but are the employees seeing that share? Definitely not.
The Compensation Conundrum
One of the most exciting (or rather, perplexing) parts of signing an IT contract in India is the sentence that reads, "Your compensation is strictly confidential and not to be shared with other associates." Why? What’s the big secret? Why can't we share our salary details with friends or colleagues? Is this a fair business practice, or is it a classic example of monkey business? Why hide the truth? The idea that employees shouldn’t discuss their earnings sounds like a corporate ploy to maintain control, keeping everyone in the dark so that the exploitation can continue without scrutiny. It’s as if they’re encouraging a culture of secrecy, leaving employees to fend for themselves in an environment where transparency is anything but a priority.
The "Customer-Centric" Myth
These companies love to boast about being "customer-centric." They claim to put the customer at the heart of everything they do. But here’s the bitter truth — they are not employee-centric. Far from it. The management is so terrified that if they start focusing on employee well-being, their entire money-making scheme might fall apart. Employees are nothing more than tools, working tirelessly to make the CEOs richer, while their own well-being is sidelined.
The Work-Life Balance Farce
We keep hearing about work-life balance, yet the CEOs and top management want their employees to work 70-90 hours a week. Imagine the toll that takes on a person’s health, mental state, and personal life. Start at 8 AM and finish at 9 PM. No breaks, no weekends, no time for family, no time for self-care. What do the doctors say about this? How long can someone endure this kind of work culture before they start developing serious health issues? And all for what? To make a few executives richer, while the workers are left to burn out.
The Bitter Truth About the Indian IT Industry
The sad reality is that these companies care more about their bottom line than the people who make them successful. It’s a vicious cycle of exploitation, and the longer it continues, the more the gap between the top brass and the employees will widen. The IT industry in India is stuck in this toxic cycle of overwork, underpayment, and empty promises. The very people who are working day and night to keep these companies afloat are being treated as disposable resources.
When will the so-called leaders of the industry wake up and realize that a successful company isn’t built on the backs of overworked, underappreciated employees? It’s time to break the cycle, to recognize that employee well-being and work-life balance are just as important as profits and growth. Until then, the hypocrisy of the Indian IT industry will continue, and so will the exploitation.
Let’s hope for a brighter future — where employees are valued, their hard work is truly appreciated, and they don’t have to sacrifice their health and happiness just to make someone else rich.
God help our IT industry in India.