The Philippines have
more call centre workers than India
American
call centre companies usually have their workers in India. This is due to the
fact that having Indian workers rather than American workers is cheaper labor
and more cost effective. Nowadays American call centre companies are outsourced
in the Philippines rather than India.
“The Contact Center Association of the
Philippines estimates that 350,000 Filipinos work in call centres, compared to
330,000 Indians.”
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14149615)
People have
said that Americans have an easier time understanding and talking to Filipino
workers due to the fact that the Filipino accent is easier to understand
compared to Indian accents.
"To an American, the Philippine accent
appears clear and neutral.”
“In fact, to American ears, Filipinos often
sound clearer than agents in India - the erstwhile king of the call centre
industry.”
"I think even companies in India would
admit to that, and that's the reason some of them are moving to the
Philippines. The big name players are all here now."
Filipino
call centre companies’ worker’s salaries are cheap as well just like how Indian
cell centre workers are. It is easier for Americans to talk and communicate
with Filipino English Speakers.
What I think: Although Filipino and Indian call centre workers are paid less than Americans, this allows the Philippines and Indian economy to boost since there will be more people with jobs. Since the amount of call centres have grown in India and the Philippines, this means that the amount of English speaking people will increase, which I find helpful for the people since English speakers will have an easier time finding jobs since English is the international language mainly used.
Question: Do you think India and the Philippines are being exploited since they are a less developed country compared to the United States?
I honestly think it depends on your perception. On one hand, I could see how people would call it exploitation of workers by TNCs because of the absolute power they yield, but on the other hand I would argue that these people willingly take these jobs and would be making less money if they weren't working so in that case its positive.
ReplyDeleteI think the workers from LEDCs (like India and the Philippines) are more exploited than those form MEDCs. People from LEDCs tend to lack sophisticated skills or technology where their population remains high. Therefore, they tend to work under transnational corporations (TNCs). Since it is easy for TNCs to fire and replace the workers from LEDCs, the working conditions are usually poor and salaries are low.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Mr. Barnes said that if anything, the increase in job opportunities available for both Filipino and Indian workers is more beneficial than not. In fact, I read in an article that because of the sudden increase in demand for Filipino call center workers, the nation will have over a million jobs by 2016, doubling the country's overall revenue levels. More Filipino workers are now inclined to sound more American to acquire these better paying jobs. I actually think that instead of Filipino and Indian workers being at a disadvantage, that instead it is the workers in the U.S that will be negatively affected. Because these large U.S companies are choosing to outsource, there will be fewer and fewer jobs available within the country which may potentially raise U.S unemployment rates even further.
ReplyDelete