The Western India Palm Refined Oils Limited (WIPRO) has reportedly fired ‘300’ employees accused of ‘Moonlighting’ on Wednesday, 21st September. Wipro Limited is an Indian MNC that provides information technology (IT), consulting and business process services among many. It also offers cloud computing, cyber security, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, robotics, data analytics, and other technology consulting services to customers in 67 countries and counting.

We may not be habituated with the term ‘Moonlighting’ but we all do appreciate that to some or rather the majority, it is a necessity to survive with a fierce competition for the ‘survival of the fittest’. The economic highs and lows are something we get accustomed to it or feel the need to open new pathways for a stable source of income to earn a happy livelihood. While some do it to fulfill their family needs, some tend to sort out for their convenience. It would be unfair to call it a crime since it can be considered a ‘part time job’ or as the dictionary suggests, a job specifically done at night in addition to one’s regular employment (not necessarily has to be hidden). There is no law that forbids an employee to opt for dual employment. The scenario in the IT sectors or MNC’s are somewhat different. The life of a corporate worker seems equivalent to a wage earner thriving under a capitalist! The bourgeoisie and Proletariat as it sounds though not makes complete sense here but partially reflects the possibility of exploitation. It is expected from them to pour in their passion and perseverance just to their employers who on the other hand deserves every right to dictate their lives on their terms.

However, the statement issued by the executive chairperson evokes another angle to this raged decision. Rishad Premji said, “It is very simple. It is an act of integrity and violation. We terminated the services of those people,”. If we observe the above statement we find the element of ‘disloyalty’ being highlighted as a possible cause for such decision. It is not yet clear about the competitor(s) under whom the employees might have deceived WIPRO. Several other companies have shown their concern and shared their perspective about this system of dual employment. Some tend to stick with the ageold norms to curve this freedom to work while some were delighted to accept the freedom of choice of the employees since they are contracted on the basis of hours they offer to the company and what they do after their duty hours are over are absolutely their own decision. But an honest opinion being that no company would tolerate ‘traitors’ who would dwell with their rivals in the shade of Moonlighting. ­