The article notes that HCL Technologies is preparing a response regarding its business outlook following Donald Trump's election win. Given the context of Trump's authoritarian-tinged leadership and the subsequent boost in HCL's share price, this activity can be viewed as financially opportunistic and indirectly complicit in reinforcing policies associated with fascist tactics. The company's willingness to frame its outlook in this political context invites concern from an anti-fascist perspective.

India’s Infosys, HCL Set to Address Business Outlook Under Trump Presidency

The statement exhibits robust supply chain ethics by enforcing strict supplier contracts and conducting due diligence. HCLTech mandates supplier compliance with anti-slavery standards and regularly audits its supply chain processes, thereby reducing risks of labor exploitation and upholding ethical business practices.

HCLTech UK Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement FY 2023-2024

The document outlines robust due diligence processes and contractual measures with suppliers to ensure compliance with anti-slavery standards. The clear emphasis on ethical supply chain practices supports a progressive and anti-authoritarian business approach.

HCL Technologies committed to slavery and human trafficking statement

The Economic Policy Institute report alleges that HCL Technologies underpaid H-1B workers by $95 million relative to their American counterparts. This disparity indicates systemic exploitation and a violation of fair labor practices, undermining labor rights and contributing to broader inequities. Such practices are concerning from an ethical and human rights perspective.

HCL Technologies committed "wage theft", paid H-1B workers $95 million less than American counterparts, alleges report

The union vote by HCL contract workers is a strong indication of progressive labor activism, advocating for better pay and working conditions. This event supports workers' rights in an industry often criticized for exploiting contract labor, reflecting a move towards fair labor practices and aligning with anti-authoritarian values.

A Union Strikes a Revolutionary Blow in Tech

The allegation of wage theft specifically targeting H-1B workers underscores a significant violation of fair labor practices. By underpaying these workers compared to their American counterparts, HCL Technologies is accused of exploiting a vulnerable workforce, which aligns with our categorization of unethical labor practices. This behavior not only undermines workers’ rights but may also contribute to systemic exploitation tied to broader anti-immigrant and discriminatory economic practices.

HCL Technologies committed "wage theft", paid H-1B workers $95 million less than American counterparts, alleges report

The public disclosure of HCLTech's Human Rights Policy demonstrates a clear commitment to labor rights and human rights practices. By outlining principles of equality and justice, the company positions itself positively in the realm of ethical business practices. While the policy is a promising indicator, further details on its implementation would help fully assess its impact on worker rights.

Human Rights Policy | HCLTech

The company’s CSR initiative, as highlighted on its official investor relations page, emphasizes a sustained effort to give back to the community and support the underprivileged. This commitment to social and environmental responsibility aligns with ethical business practices and progressive, anti-authoritarian values by promoting community welfare and inclusion.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The lawsuit alleges that HCL Technologies engaged in a systematic discriminatory hiring scheme, denying employment opportunities based on nationality. Such practices undermine fair labor standards and workers' rights, and indicate a disregard for diversity and inclusion, which is a serious ethical and human rights concern.

It's HCL's turn to face a suit for alleged hiring bias in US

By releasing a detailed Human Rights Policy that emphasizes equality and justice, HCLTech demonstrates a proactive stance in promoting human rights and worker protections. This commitment aligns with progressive, anti-authoritarian values and supports marginalized communities, thereby earning a positive score in the Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices category.

Human Rights Policy | HCLTech

The report details allegations that HCL America has deliberately underpaid H-1B workers—paying up to $55,000 less than US employees with similar skills—which undermines fair labor practices and violates H-1B wage law requirements. This systematic wage theft represents a serious breach of ethical labor relations and human rights practices.

HCL America accused of wage discrimination, law violation

The allegations reveal significant labor rights violations, as HCL Technologies is accused of engaging in wage theft by underpaying its H-1B employees compared to their U.S. counterparts, with disparities noted between 13% and 64%. This exploitation of immigrant labor underscores unethical labor practices and contributes to broader systemic exploitation of vulnerable workers.

Major provider of immigrant tech workers committing ‘wage theft,’ report alleges

HCL Technologies is accused of systematically underpaying its H-1B visa workers, which reflects a broader failure in adhering to fair labor practices. The Economic Policy Institute's analysis suggests that HCL deliberately pays H-1B workers less than local equivalents to reduce costs, undermining workers' rights and contributing to wage suppression. This practice is viewed as ethically questionable and indicative of exploitative business practices that can indirectly support broader authoritarian economic policies.

HCL accused of underpaying H-1B workers by $95m+ a year

The article exposes that HCL Technologies allegedly underpays its H-1B visa workers by a combined total of $95 million per year. This indicates a systematic labor exploitation strategy that undermines fair wages and worker rights. Such practices contribute to economic inequality and erode labor protections, aligning with concerns over unethical business practices and complicity in systemic oppression.

HCL Technologies accused of underpaying H-1B workers by $95 million per year

The internal documents indicate that HCL pays its H-1B employees significantly less – in some cases by as much as 47% – than its U.S. citizen employees performing the same roles. This systematic underpayment undermines worker rights and fair labor practices, contributing to a broader pattern of exploitation in the tech industry.

New evidence of widespread wage theft in the H-1B visa program

HCL Technologies' internal document, which has been admitted in a whistleblower lawsuit, details a calculated strategy to underpay H-1B workers by significant margins compared to U.S. workers in similar roles. This systematic wage suppression not only breaches the H-1B law—requiring payment of the higher, 'actual' wage—but also contributes to broader labor exploitation and degradation of working conditions.

New evidence of widespread wage theft in the H-1B visa program

The article details how HCL Technologies imposed rigid work policies, misrepresented worker compensation, and ultimately engaged a union-busting law firm to oppose unionization efforts. These actions undermine workers' rights and contribute to adverse labor relations, which is particularly concerning from an anti-authoritarian perspective.

One Tech Subcontractor's Road to Unionization - Jacobin

The unionization vote demonstrates a strong commitment to improving labor conditions by empowering workers and addressing inequities in pay and benefits. This move aligns with anti-fascist values by advocating for worker rights and challenging exploitative corporate practices.

A Group of Google Contractors Has Voted to Unionize

The lawsuit alleges that HCL Technologies engaged in systemic hiring bias by deliberately favoring Indian candidates over American candidates, undermining fair labor practices and contributing to discriminatory employment practices. Such actions can be seen as undermining diversity, equity, and fair labor rights, all of which are key to resisting authoritarian and exploitative corporate behaviors.

It's HCL's turn to face a suit for alleged hiring bias in US

By avoiding political donations, HCL Technologies (through its affiliated leadership) prevents the risk of contributing to corporate political influence that could be exploited by authoritarian or partisan agendas. Maintaining neutrality in political funding is viewed as a positive move, reducing potential complicity in fostering divisive and undemocratic practices. This aligns with a policy of transparency and a stance against the corrupting influence of money in politics.

Political Donations: Why Indian IT companies are averse to political donations