More than 300 employees staged a protest in Kochi on Saturday after technology ecosystem company Talrop announced the shutdown of 21 of its subsidiary companies across Kerala, leaving hundreds of workers without jobs and with months of unpaid salaries. The demonstration took place outside the company’s headquarters in Thrikkakara, where employees demanded immediate payment of pending wages and compensation.
According to employees, salary arrears range from four to eleven months, with several former staff members claiming they resigned months ago but are still awaiting their dues. Protesters alleged that repeated assurances from the management were never fulfilled and that communication from the company had virtually stopped. Many also said complaints filed with the Labour Department had yielded little progress.
The crisis comes just days after another major layoff in Kerala’s IT sector, adding to concerns about employment stability in the state’s growing technology industry. Employees said the sudden closure has placed hundreds of families under severe financial strain, with many struggling to pay rent, loan installments, medical expenses, and school fees. Several protesters urged the Kerala Government to intervene and ensure that workers receive their legally entitled salaries and benefits.
In an official statement, Talrop said the decision to wind up its ecosystem companies was part of a strategic transformation driven by the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The company stated that its existing ecosystem model was no longer sustainable and required an annual expenditure of nearly ₹100 crore. It announced that it is transitioning toward an institution-driven model focused on large-scale Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) infrastructure and real estate projects.
Responding to the allegations, company representatives described the shutdown as temporary and attributed the financial crisis to AI-driven industry changes as well as economic disruptions caused by the conflict in West Asia. The management acknowledged the pending salary dues and assured employees that all outstanding payments and compensation would be settled before October 2026.
Meanwhile, officials from the Labour Department confirmed they have received complaints from affected employees in Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kannur. Authorities stated that while some earlier complaints had been resolved through mediation, the increasing number of claims has now prompted workers to seek relief through labour courts. The department has assured employees that legal procedures are underway to address the dispute.
