On 01-04-2026, a complaint was filed before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) regarding arbitrary as well as large-scale layoffs by Oracle Corporation and its Indian entity, Oracle India Private Limited.

The complaint had been preferred under the Prevention of Human Rights Act, 1993, seeking intervention against the systematic and arbitrary employment practices of Oracle Corporation, which led to the infringement of the employees’ fundamental rights.

It was submitted that the said layoffs, affecting thousands of employees globally, were a part of restructuring linked to artificial intelligence-driven operational shifts. It was asserted that Oracle India Private Limited employed a substantial workforce in India, and that the global restructuring created a reasonable apprehension of similar actions within India as well.

The complainant submitted that the ‘right to life’ under Article 21 of the Constitution included the right to livelihood and that termination practices where employees are not given meaningful notice, no opportunity of hearing is provided, the criteria for termination remain undisclosed, and no rehabilitation or reskilling mechanisms are instituted, would directly infringe Article 21. It was also asserted that reliance on technological restructuring, including AI-led workforce displacement, without safeguarding livelihoods, aggravated constitutional violations.

Violation of the principles of natural justice was also asserted by the complainant, who stated that the Ministries of Labour and Employment, Electronics and Information Technology, Corporate Affairs, and Finance had failed to ensure that multinational corporations adhered to constitutional mandates and labour welfare protections.

The complainant sought interim maintenance through directions to maintain the status quo regarding the workforce reduction in India by Oracle India Private Limited and to initiate an immediate fact-finding inquiry.

Further, the complainant prayed that the NHRC take cognizance of the complaint as a violation of fundamental rights and direct Oracle India Private Limited to provide details of any ongoing/proposed layoffs in India, as well as the policies governing termination and employee safeguards. Additionally, the complainant sought reports from the Ministries on compliance with constitutional and labour law obligations.

Apart from the above, appropriate guidelines regarding fair procedures prior to terminations, transparency in workforce reductions, and mandatory reskilling frameworks were prayed for. Lastly, the complainant sought the formulation of a regulatory framework to address AI-induced employment displacement.

Appearance:

Complainant – Advocate Yennam Balachander Reddy

National Human Rights Commission Click here