Maharashtra Signals First Dedicated Tribunal for IT Employees

The Maharashtra government has indicated that a tribunal mechanism for IT employees will be established once rules under the Industrial Relations Code 2020 are finalised. Recently, the state Labour Minister, Akash Pandurang Fundkar, told the Assembly that provisions for such forums are included under the upcoming framework.

Responding to a question, the minister said that when rules are drafted in line with the new labour codes, special tribunals will be constituted, including provisions applicable to the IT sector.

The discussion was initiated by BJP MLA Shankar Jagtap, who raised concerns over alleged fraud, forced resignations and labour grievances faced by IT employees in Pune, which he described as a major global IT hub.

Jagtap also asked whether the government would set up a dedicated grievance cell or helpline for IT employees, introduce fast-track labour courts, and amend policy frameworks to better align with labour laws.

He further sought clarity on whether the government would convene a joint meeting with industry stakeholders, labour officials and IT professionals to address the issues.

In his reply, Fundkar said that in a recent case involving fraud by a placement and training consultancy, the labour department intervened and later handed the matter over to the police, leading to arrests of those found guilty. He added that the special team constituted by the government has taken action in such cases.

On dispute resolution, the minister said that officials currently mediate between employers and employees. When that fails, cases are taken to the labour or industrial courts. He noted that under the new labour codes, a dedicated tribunal system has been established, and similar mechanisms would be established in the state once the rules are notified.

Fundkar also assured the House that the government would hold joint consultations with relevant stakeholders, including representatives from the IT sector, in the coming period.

Harpreet Singh Saluja, Bombay High Court advocate and a partner at NITES Legal, said this could change the reality for thousands of IT professionals who struggle to find justice when problems arise at work today.

“Thousands of IT professionals working in Pune and Mumbai IT hubs… have faced these problems for years. Many suffer in silence because they do not know where to go for justice,” he said. “For the first time, the real issues of IT employees are being discussed seriously at the highest level in Maharashtra.”

Other major tech hubs such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai have also seen recurring complaints around forced resignations, delayed settlements and limited access to formal dispute resolution, especially after the advent of artificial intelligence.