Professionals in Bihar worried as job losses become norm

PATNA: Coronavirus has not only cost too many lives, but is also wreaking havoc in the job markets. The employees of various private firms across the state have either been granted indefinite leaves without pay or experienced salary cuts and even layoffs.
42-year-old Akhilesh Singh and his family, who live in Gardanibagh, were shocked when his bosses sent him a letter on May 15, asking him to resign. He had been working with a private consultancy firm for the last 12 years and is looking for a new job now.
“The company’s sudden decision shook me up, but I am trying to stay strong because I have to run a family and pay my daughter’s fee,” he rued.
Gaya resident Ajit Upadhyay, who worked with a Kuwait-based construction firm, also lost his job two months ago. He said, “Since then, I have been looking for new and better opportunities. However, all the companies have asked me to reapply after December.”
A mathematics teacher of a private school in Jaganpura told this newspaper that many of his colleagues were sacked for no reason last month. “We got a message from the school regarding submission of our resignation letters. We even tried discussing the matter with the management, but to no avail,” the teacher claimed.
Patna girl Shreya Sinha, who was selected by a Pune-based IT firm in March, was told recently that the job offer had been cancelled. “They had promised me that there would be no job loss. However, my recruitment was put on hold and finally cancelled on June 1,” she said.
Several other private firm employees are scared that they may lose their jobs soon. 27-year-old Firdaus, a native of Hajipur, works with a Delhi-based company that deals with foreign clients. She pointed out, “Our work has been disrupted and many of us are on an indefinite leave without pay since May. Considering the present scenario, I think things will not improve anytime soon.”
Another private firm employee, Gaurav Verma, said, “My colleagues and I first experienced massive salary cuts. Later, we were granted leaves without pay.”