Nasscom crosses swords over BPO study

NASSCOM, the top body for software and service companies, is upset over comparisons made between working conditions in BPO units and sweatshops, prison camps and ancient Roman ships that once employed prison labour.

Such comparisons, made in a year old report prepared by a labour issues expert with the reputed VV Giri National Institute of Labour, has 8216;8216;pained and surprised the industry,8217;8217; Nasscom President Kiran Karnik said on Monday.

8216;8216;I know the institute is highly credible. What irks me is the reference to prison camps,8217;8217; Karnik said of the study, referring to its reportage in the media. Karnik and two other representatives of the offshoring industry, on Monday challenged 8216;8216;anyone8217;8217; to a duel on the real work conditions in an Indian BPO or call centre. 8216;8216;It is an open challenge to anyone, if any other industry can give the same prospects of career growth, training, salary or work culture as this sector does.8217;8217;