The CPI (M), ruling in West Bengal and Kerala, has strongly advocated for trade unions in the BPO- IT sector but will not favour forced closures during strikes and bandhs.

"BPO employees can form unions and we would encourage it if it happens. Our trade unions will encourage them to form unions. That's the best way to protect their interest and rights. If they (workers) don't want to form unions, it's fine," Prakash Karat, general secretary of CPM, told PTI.

He said the IT sector also has manufacturing aspects like hardware, where unions will exist. Probably there need not be forcible closure of the IT sector during strikes and bandhs, he added.

"We are getting complaints from all over the country that they (BPO employees) do 12 hours shifts but do not get elementary facilities and rights that the employees should get as many of them (companies) are fly-by-night operators. Hence these employees want to unionise. Why they shouldn't have unions for them, that's the issue," he said.

The software and BPO industry has expressed its opposition to unions in the sector.