NITES Urges Centre To Mandate Work From Home For IT Sector Amid Fuel Conservation Push
NITES Urges Centre To Mandate Work From Home For IT Sector Amid Fuel Conservation Push
New Delhi, May 12, 2026: The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) has written to Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, urging the Centre to issue an advisory mandating Work From Home (WFH) for the IT and IT-enabled services (IT/ITES) sector in the national interest.
In a letter dated May 11, NITES said the move would support fuel conservation efforts, reduce traffic congestion, ease pressure on urban infrastructure, and promote environmental sustainability amid the current global economic and geopolitical situation.
The employee body referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal encouraging citizens and establishments to adopt measures such as Work From Home, virtual meetings, and reduced unnecessary travel to conserve fuel and support the economy.
According to NITES, the IT/ITES sector had already proven during the COVID-19 pandemic that remote working is operationally feasible and sustainable without affecting productivity or business continuity. The organisation stated that major IT companies and digital service providers successfully maintained operations, handled international projects, and supported economic activity while employees worked remotely.
NITES highlighted that companies had invested significantly in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity systems, cloud operations, and virtual collaboration tools during the pandemic, making remote work practical for digitally deliverable roles.
The organisation also pointed out that lakhs of employees in metropolitan cities continue to spend several hours commuting daily despite having the capability to work remotely. It stated that unnecessary travel increases fuel consumption, traffic congestion, environmental burden, and negatively impacts employee well-being.
In its representation, NITES requested the Ministry of Labour and Employment to issue an advisory directing IT/ITES companies to implement mandatory Work From Home wherever operationally feasible for an appropriate period.
The letter further stated that the demand was not intended to create confrontation between employers and employees, but rather to encourage collective national cooperation in support of conservation efforts and public interest.
The representation was signed by Harpreet Singh Saluja, President of NITES and advocate at the Bombay High Court.
