Challenges Faced by Indian IT Workers While Working from Home for Global Companies

A large number of Indian IT professionals, estimated at around five million, are working from home for major global tech companies, yet their working conditions often remain extremely challenging. Many live in small apartments shared with extended families, making it difficult to find quiet spaces for work. Remote work has brought additional responsibilities, including rearranging homes and managing family needs while maintaining professional performance. Power cuts and unreliable internet connections are common, and workers frequently invest their own money in backup systems, sometimes costing as much as a month’s salary for a junior employee. Furthermore, workplace surveillance has extended into homes, with employees required to document power outages or their internet activity for employers. Protests have arisen in cities like Bangalore against extended working hours and the lack of legal protections, highlighting that the cost savings for companies have been shifted onto employees and their families. The article emphasises that remote work experiences vary greatly depending on geographic and social contexts, and Indian IT workers bear a disproportionate share of hidden costs compared to their peers in western countries. Policymakers and organisations are urged to acknowledge these inequities to make remote work truly sustainable.