The Wall Street Journal has reported that a group of American workers has accused Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) of discriminatory practices based on race and age. The allegations include abrupt firings and the hiring of Indian workers on H1-B visas.
Complaints filed with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claim that TCS unlawfully terminated at least 22 American employees, who are Caucasian, Asian-American, and Hispanic, aged between their 40s and 60s, residing in over a dozen states across the US. Many of the discharged employees reportedly hold advanced degrees such as MBAs.
According to American professionals, TCS violated employment laws by allegedly targeting individuals based on age and race, while favoring Indian workers with H1-B visas. However, a TCS spokesperson dismissed these claims as ‘meritless and misleading’, emphasizing the company’s commitment to equal opportunity employment and integrity in operations.
The complaints raise concerns about the practices of Indian IT firms in utilizing H-1B visas, intended for skilled foreign workers, with allegations of American employees being replaced by cheaper foreign counterparts with lesser qualifications.
Typically, companies sponsor visas for workers without needing to demonstrate unavailability of Americans with similar skills. TCS, with a workforce primarily based in India, generates a significant portion of its revenue in North America but employs a comparatively smaller number of workers in the US.
The filing of complaints with the EEOC suggests potential federal charges related to workplace discrimination. These allegations highlight broader issues surrounding employment practices, visa utilization, and workforce dynamics in the IT industry, prompting scrutiny of the treatment of American workers and the impact of outsourcing on domestic employment opportunities.
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