Is Labor Day a Must-Have Holiday for White-Collar Workers in IT Companies?

Dear All, First of all, thank you for taking the time to read my query. I am working as an HR in a mid-size IT company. As this sector's employees are considered white-collar employees, please let me know if May 1st, 2024 (Labor Day), should be a mandatory holiday. Thank you! Nandini S

Yes, according to Section 31 of the Telangana Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, May Day (1st May) is a mandatory holiday. Please remember that May Day is not meant only for laborers. If you believe that your establishment can function solely with white-collar employees and not laborers, you are mistaken.

White-Collar Employees and Labor Laws

Among your officers, those who have functional responsibilities of a manager—including the authority to approve leaves, initiate disciplinary actions against other employees/subordinates, and appraise the performance of subordinates—are considered white-collar as per labor laws. All others, such as those in IT or tech roles, are classified as workers and are entitled to the protections under labor laws like the Industrial Disputes Act.

Holiday Entitlement

The same principle applies to holidays; while managers can work in the office, for others, it should be a paid holiday only.

Dear Nandini,

First of all, there is nothing called Vigour-colored Jobs. In reality, all these synonyms have been created to circumvent laws and rules, as well as to undermine the integrity of the working class.

The one who works in the field (crops, software, services) puts in hard labor and time to bring out a product, which is then marketed for a cost. We can observe that the field and labor remain constant, but there is a change in the output product. While no one can sustain without food from the agriculture field, life can be sustained without software, hardware, and any FMCG products. The real irony lies in the lack of parity in wages and laws due to classifications under the guise of colored jobs.

In this discussion, Mr. Madhu has provided insight in the context of your post. In my opinion, May Day should be a holiday for all those who labor for wages and salaries.

Thank you, sir (both Mr. Madhu & Mr. Prabhat Ranjan Mohanty), for your guidance. In that case, won't Telangana Formation Day on 2nd June also be a mandatory holiday?