In a recent incident that has stirred outrage in Haryana, a luxury hotel in Gurugram has come under severe criticism for offering a paltry stipend of ₹2000 to an intern. The issue gained attention after Rajesh Sawhney, the founder of GSF Accelerator, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his shock and dismay.
Unveiling the Disconcerting Reality
During a startup meeting at the hotel, Sawhney encountered a young lobby manager who shared his story. Hailing from Dehradoon and a recent graduate from a local catering college, the intern had been interning at the hotel for the past three months. What astounded Sawhney was the meager stipend of ₹2000 per month that the hotel deemed fit to provide.
Expressing his disbelief, Sawhney wrote, “This is disgusting. How can he even survive in this amount in Gurugram? Khoon choos rahein hain bacchon ka,” shedding light on the dire circumstances faced by the intern.
Social Media Outrage
Sawhney’s post quickly went viral, sparking outrage on social media platforms. Users condemned the hotel’s actions, highlighting the prevalent exploitation of interns across various industries in India.
One user pointed out the harsh reality of internships in India, where many individuals either work for free or receive minimal compensation. Another lamented the imbalance between the workload and remuneration, suggesting that the hospitality industry, in particular, tends to overwork and underpay its employees.
Violation of Labor Laws
Amidst the uproar, concerns were raised regarding the potential violation of labor laws. Several users pointed out that the intern’s stipend fell drastically below the minimum wage requirements, raising questions about the legality and ethics of such practices.
“This salary is a sure violation of labor laws’ minimum daily wage requirements unless he is being cheated in the name of training,” remarked one user, echoing the sentiments of many who were appalled by the situation.