Calls for WFH Resound: Following PM Modi’s Appeal, IT Union Demands Legal Recognition for Flexible Working

Work From Home: Following PM Modi’s appeal to resume ‘Work From Home’ arrangements, the union representing IT employees has now begun actively demanding it. Let’s take a closer look at the full details of the situation.

Work From Home: In his recent address in Hyderabad, PM Modi urged that preference be given to ‘Work From Home’ arrangements. This has created an atmosphere of optimism among employees across various sectors. Although the Prime Minister has currently only issued an appeal to companies—rather than mandating it—employees within the IT sector are nonetheless now demanding the re-implementation of Work From Home policies.

The Demand for Work From Home

According to The Economic Times, the National Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES)—an organization representing IT employees in India—has written a letter to the Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya. In this letter, they have demanded that Work From Home (WFH) arrangements be implemented within the IT and ITES sectors wherever feasible.

The Letter States…

NITES penned this letter on May 11, 2026, appealing to the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment to take this step in the national interest. The letter requests that Work From Home (WFH) be implemented—at least for a temporary period—in sectors related to IT and digital services, wherever such arrangements are practicable. Furthermore, the letter highlights that during the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s IT and ITES sectors conclusively demonstrated that working from home on a large scale is indeed possible and that it does not result in any significant adverse impact on operations or productivity.

Moreover, according to the organization, during the pandemic, the majority of IT companies successfully facilitated Work From Home arrangements for their employees. Aided by cloud systems, cybersecurity tools, digital platforms, and virtual management systems, company operations continued to function seamlessly. This serves as proof that, for numerous technology-related roles, Work From Home is a completely practical, technically feasible, and sustainable long-term option. Organization Highlights Employees’ Concerns

In this letter, while outlining its grievances, the organization also noted that the daily commuting of employees remains a matter of concern. Millions of employees spend several hours each day in transit, even though their work could effectively be performed from home. Unnecessary office travel leads to increased fuel consumption, exacerbates traffic congestion, places a strain on public transportation, and causes environmental damage. Furthermore, it takes a toll on the physical and mental well-being of the employees. The organization asserted that adopting remote work wherever feasible could support national efforts to conserve fuel without adversely affecting productivity.