IT industry body NITES (Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate) has called on India’s Ministry of Labour and Employment to issue an advisory that would make work-from-home arrangements mandatory for IT workers, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for the same, in order to save fuel.

NITES requested the Ministry of Labour and Employment to issue the advisory in order to direct IT companies to make work-from-home mandatory where feasible, for an “appropriate” period of time, citing national interest. The industry body noted that India had previously and “successfully” implemented large-scale work-from-home measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that productivity and business continuity were not disrupted.

Mr. Modi on May 10 asked citizens to reduce fuel use, favour local products, and use public transport, in light of rising oil prices and the ongoing West Asia crisis. He also requested Indians to avoid foreign travel and buying gold. He further suggested once more adopting COVID-time arrangements such as working from home and meeting online.

The recent letter from NITES, dated May 11, was addressed to Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister - Labour & Employment. It was sent by Harpreet Singh Saluja, president, Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES). The body represents employees across the Information Technology and IT-enabled services sector.

Citing Mr. Modi’s appeal for work-from-home arrangements in order to conserve fuel amidst geopolitical tensions in West Asia, NITES said these arrangements for IT roles should not be treated as a preference or a flexibility measure, but as a “responsible economic and national-support measure aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s appeal”.

“Employees in metropolitan cities spend several hours daily travelling despite performing work that can effectively be delivered remotely. This not only impacts physical and mental health, but also results in avoidable fuel usage and environmental burden at a time when the nation is consciously discussing conservation and efficiency,” stated the industry body’s letter.