Sun Nov 17 15:07:01 UTC 2024: ## Hundreds of IT Workers Protest Unpaid Salaries at Hyderabad Firm Linked to Satyam Scandal

**Hyderabad, November 17, 2024** – Hundreds of current and former employees of Brane Enterprises, a Hyderabad-based IT firm with ties to the infamous Satyam scandal, staged a protest on Sunday, alleging non-payment of salaries and wrongful termination. The public hearing, organized by the All India Professional Congress (AIPC), saw a large turnout of affected individuals sharing their harrowing experiences.

Testimonies revealed a pattern of delayed and partial salary payments beginning in April 2024, escalating to mass layoffs without severance pay by August. Many employees, including NIT-Warangal graduates, reported being unable to access their provident funds due to the company’s failure to make contributions. The lack of payslips and relieving letters has also hampered their job searches.

Brane Enterprises, which claims to possess a patented AI software and reported a net worth of ₹58 crore in FY 2023, is owned by the family of Ramalinga Raju, the founder of the disgraced Satyam Computer Services. The AIPC alleges the company engaged in deliberate manipulation and unfair labor practices, suggesting that the hiring of thousands of graduates may have been a tactic to attract investors.

Telangana’s Minister for Industries and IT, D. Sridhar Babu, attended the hearing, assuring the affected employees of government intervention. He stated that the Labour Department would investigate Brane Enterprises and take legal action if necessary. The Minister also promised to summon the company’s management to facilitate a fair resolution.

The AIPC chairman, Praveen Chakravarty, condemned the company’s actions, highlighting the plight of thousands of employees who have been unjustly treated. The incident has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about labor rights within the IT sector in Hyderabad. The investigation promises to shed light on the financial dealings of Brane Enterprises and the extent of its alleged mismanagement.

Read More