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Ramadoss comes under Nasscom fire

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CIOL Bureau
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NEW DELHI, INDIA: Nasscom has condemned the comments made by A Ramadoss, the Union Minister of Health, terming them as “exaggerations that demean BPO employees.”

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The minister was reported to have said that stress and the lifestyle of young BPO employees were taking a toll on their health. He also added that the Communications and IT, and Health ministries would formulate a workplace health policy for call center staff, which would come into place by early 2008.

Expressing distress at the comments, Nasscom said in a statement that the comments were a generalized slur on half a million youngsters working in this industry.

Alarmist statements that paint a negative image of BPO employees are resented by them and do not help the industry, the Association asserted.

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“These young people (BPO employees) work hard, with sincerity and dedication, and are well and fairly paid for that. We do not see how this translates into “wanting to make a fast buck”, as the Minister reportedly said. That they “party the rest of the time”, after working “half the day” is also a grossly unfair generalization of what a few – probably very few – do,” the apex body of the Indian IT industry said.

The Association added that these, and allegations of ‘bad diet, excessive smoking and drinking’ are exaggerations that demean BPO employees. “In any case, it is our view that the personal life-style of adults is – as long as it is within the law – for them to choose. We no not think it is for companies or for the government to interfere in the personal life of adult Indians.”

Some of the concerns expressed by the Minister had to do with young people’s life-style and availability of disposable income. These were factors that were true in many other professions and industries.

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Nasscom opined that it was not correct to single out and attack BPO employees. “We fully recognize that – like any other job – work in the BPO sector has its set of requirements, rewards and stresses. The BPO industry is committed to the welfare of its employees. It already provides opportunities and facilities that are excellent and, arguably, better than those provided in any other sector.”

Training and growth opportunities for young people in this sector are unmatched. Many companies provide additional facilities like advice on health, nutrition and finances, health-care, gymnasium, etc., the statement pointed out.

Nasscom expressed happiness at the government’s intention to discuss some issues with industry. It welcomed any dialogue that would help to improve the health of the BPO employees.

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