Key Takeaways:
- NITES urges Mandatory Work From Home for 5.4 million IT professionals to conserve fuel.
- The request follows PM Modi’s call for corporate energy-saving amid the Iran conflict.
- Nasscom countered that hybrid models and energy-saving campus measures are already active.
The IT employee welfare body, Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate, on Monday urged the Labour Ministry to mandate temporary work-from-home arrangements for the IT and IT-enabled services sector, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation amid the ongoing Iran conflict.
The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate, or NITES, said in a letter to the Ministry of Labour and Employment that a temporary advisory for Mandatory Work From Home would help reduce fuel consumption, traffic congestion, and environmental strain while ensuring uninterrupted business operations through digital systems.
The request comes a day after Modi called on companies to adopt fuel-saving measures, including work-from-home policies, due to concerns linked to tensions in the Middle East and their impact on energy supplies.
NITES Calls Remote Work a National Interest Measure
NITES said the proposal was intended for an “appropriate period” and described the move as being in the “larger national interest.”
The organization said the IT and ITES sectors had already demonstrated the ability to function effectively through remote operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. It noted that major technology companies, multinational corporations, and customer support teams continued business activities without major disruptions while Mandatory Work From Home was in place for several years after the pandemic.
The body also highlighted the daily commuting burden on employees, saying lakhs of workers continue to spend hours traveling to offices despite many roles being fully manageable remotely.
India’s technology industry employs more than 5.4 million professionals, according to NITES.
“The objective of this advisory is not confrontation with employers but collective national cooperation,” the organization said in its letter.
Nasscom Says Hybrid Models Already in Place
Industry body Nasscom said companies across the technology sector are already adopting energy management and operational continuity measures in response to the evolving situation.
“In light of the ongoing Middle East tensions, companies have adopted prudent energy management measures across campuses, including optimizing non-essential consumption, rationalizing select facility services, and enabling remote or hybrid work where operationally appropriate to reduce overall energy usage and commuting,” Nasscom said in a statement Monday.
The association added that most IT firms in India continue to operate through established hybrid work frameworks, allowing organizations to balance remote and office-based work according to customer and operational requirements.
Nasscom also said the sector’s distributed delivery systems and business continuity planning have strengthened operational resilience and sustainability across the industry.
Industry Monitors Developments Amid Fuel Concerns
Nasscom said the situation remains under review and that the industry is coordinating with stakeholders and government authorities.
“While this remains an evolving situation, we are closely monitoring developments and remain engaged with industry stakeholders and government authorities to ensure a coordinated and responsible response,” the organization said.
The appeal for remote work comes as concerns over global fuel supply disruptions rise following tensions linked to the Iran conflict. Analysts say higher crude oil prices could increase transportation and operational costs for businesses across India.
The IT sector was among the first industries to shift to large-scale remote work during the pandemic and has since continued with flexible and hybrid work arrangements across many companies.
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