Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Wipro, two leading IT companies, are closely monitoring the ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestine. This heightened state of conflict has raised concerns about the safety of their employees and the continuity of their business operations.
TCS, in a statement on Wednesday, revealed that they currently have more than 250 employees located in Israel. The company is actively engaged in maintaining regular communication with both its employees and customers to ensure their safety. N Ganapathy Subramaniam, the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of TCS, acknowledged that many flights to the region have been put on hold or canceled due to the situation, emphasizing that the safety and well-being of their employees are of utmost importance.
Among these 250 employees, a significant number are local hires, and some are stationed in Israel for specific project assignments. TCS has also reached out to its customers to stay informed about their plans and responses to the evolving circumstances.
TCS has been deeply involved in various digital transformation initiatives within Israel’s public sector and has maintained a presence in the country since 2005. In April of the current year, TCS expressed a strong interest in Israeli technology, innovation, and the thriving startup ecosystem.
Wipro, another major player in the IT industry, has roughly 80 employees situated in Israel, all of whom are Israeli nationals. The company has verified the safety and whereabouts of all its Israeli employees. As a precautionary measure, Wipro has advised all its employees in the country to work from home until further notice and adhere to the safety guidelines issued by local authorities. Wipro continues to closely monitor the situation and stands ready to implement business continuity plans if the situation worsens.
Other IT giants, including HCLTech and Infosys, also maintain substantial operations in the Middle East, which includes a presence in Israel. HCLTech serves more than 50 clients in the Middle East and has established offices in Israel.
Sridhar Vembu, the CEO of Zoho, voiced his concerns on Monday, warning that the ongoing conflict could introduce significant uncertainties and potentially impact the global economy. The tech industry is keeping a vigilant eye on the situation and is taking all necessary precautions to safeguard the well-being of its employees and to ensure the uninterrupted flow of business operations in the region.