Shridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho, has once again appealed to Indians working in America, urging them to return to India. He stated that there are numerous employment opportunities available in India. This appeal came the same day he announced no productivity or salary increases at Zoho this year, as part of an effort to avoid mass layoffs.
Vembu's stance has drawn criticism. Critics question the reliability of prospects for returning professionals, given that the country's tech industry itself faces difficulties, while Zoho is experiencing rising costs and financial pressure.
A few hours after announcing the suspension of appraisals at Zoho, Vembu wrote on X that Indians facing an uncertain future in America should try to stay in a country that no longer wants them. He emphasized that if another country asks you to leave, you go home. He added that there are millions of jobs to be created in India, regardless of the state of the software sector.
Vembu's comments surfaced amid growing uncertainty among Indian tech professionals in the US. The US government banned 8 IT companies, including Microsoft, Tata, Wipro, and Infosys, from participating in the permanent worker certification program. This program is a crucial step in the process of obtaining a green card through employer sponsorship.
Following the announcement of the appraisal freeze at the organization, many have questioned his call for Indians to return from America. Sandeep Manudhane, an AI mentor and scientist, wrote on X that Vembu is on the verge of mass layoffs at his own company while simultaneously calling on NRIs to immediately return to build a new India, which he deemed unrealistic.
User Vinit also questioned Shridhar Vembu's call for diaspora entrepreneurs to return to India. Vinit pointed to the financial difficulties of the company itself. He expressed deep respect for what Zoho and Shridhar Vembu have created, noting that Zoho is an example of Indian software companies that have shown it is possible to build a global business from India.
Vinit also noted that the decision to freeze regular salary increases calls into question the opportunities for returning professionals. He argued that Zoho has been under business pressure for 18 months and has not increased its workforce. He concluded that while patriotism may motivate Indians living abroad to return, it cannot replace a strong business environment, capital, customers, and stable jobs. He stressed that it is important not only to return but also to create conditions for real success.
On October 8, the US government prohibited these eight companies from filing new applications for permanent worker certification and promoting existing ones. This could complicate the long-term immigration plans of Indian specialists working at these companies. Responding to this decision, Vembu stated that Indians have contributed immensely to America's technological power, but now much of America does not want them.
Vembu also mentioned the uncertainty faced by Indians working in the US on visas. He spoke of the painful prospect of a person being forced to dismantle a life built through their own efforts. He suggested viewing this as the pain of giving birth to a new bold future: 'Come back, let's build India.' This appeal came against the backdrop of how immigration restrictions and employment-based permanent residency pathways affect the plans of Indian tech workers trying to settle in America.
Vembu's call to return to India coincides with Zoho's own efforts to control costs amidst rising expenses related to artificial intelligence. Vembu reported that the company is cutting costs in many areas, including marketing, to avoid layoffs. The company also decided not to provide the standard annual salary increase this year.
In an X post, Vembu acknowledged that this decision would affect employees and apologized for not being able to prevent it. He wrote: 'We cut the marketing budget. We also informed our employees that we cannot provide the standard salary increase this year. I apologize for not being able to prevent it.' This means that Zoho employees will not receive their usual annual salary increase this year, as the company prioritizes cost control amid growing financial pressure. While Vembu urges Indians living abroad to return and strengthen India's technical base, Zoho...
