Post-Delhi gang-rape, BPOs suffer dip in business

ITeS-BPO companies have registered a significant decline in work productivity during the last fortnight as one in three amongst the female worker has either reduced working hours after sunset or quit jobs after horrendous Delhi rape incident, according to quick random survey undertaken by ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation (ASDF).

The gang-rape in Delhi has impacted the productivity of women workforce not only in Delhi-NCR region but also in other major cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahemdabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Dehradun, ASSOCHAM surveyed 2,500 women and they said it was due to long hours and shift jobs.

The survey found that Bangalore, BPO-ITeS are being affected to the extent of 35%. There are near about 1,800 ITES and BPO units in Bangalore region and over 1.5 Lakhs women work in BPOs & ITeS sector in Bangalore.

The survey highlights that nearly 82% of the women respondents said they have started leaving the office early in th evening. The anxiety is more among women who travel by buses, chartered buses, three-wheelers and metro is the most after sunset.

ASSOCHAM Secretary General D S Rawat said that in sector specific cases BPOs, KPO and ITeS Sector, women employees are the most vulnerable and prone to both physical and non-physical attacks especially after their duty hours over. There has been a huge attrition rate amongst females in these sectors. As a result of this, the sectors female employees remain extremely security concern as this anxiety is filled with them in high degrees.

"Security is one of the major concerns for the women who are working in the BPO, KPO and ITeS sectors. The odd hours of work and the long distances of travel make women quite prone to difficult and often dangerous situations, as has been reported in the past over incidences of molestation, rape and murders of young women in BPOs", adds Mr. Rawat.

About 89% of those participated in the survey in Bangalore said they have begun insisting on leaving offices on time, immediately after duty hours following the atmosphere of insecurity, adds the survey.

Majority of the respondents of Bangalore marked the atmosphere not comfortable enough for them to work in BPO and ITeS sector, majority of them said ‘bad' (67%), ‘good' (10%), satisfied (15%) and very good (8%). Few respondents reported the fact that they often receive indecent calls, especially during the night shifts.

Nearly 82% of females said they fear travelling in public transport at odd hours, especially at night, in comparison to only 22% of men. The problem becomes more acute with the recent rape in Delhi. There are also much graver concerns like acid-throwing, molestation and rape in the national capital.

"In the survey, none of the women said that they had lodged a formal complaint to any kind of authority. There is a big difference therefore, in the crime reported and the actual experiences of women. Crime statistics only reflect those crimes that are reported to the police. Therefore, violence experienced by women on public transport never enters the crime statistics, even though it is serious and rampant", added Mr. Rawat.

What BPOs need to ensure safety of women employees? Suggestions by ASSOCHAM:

1. All transport facilities for women engaged in BPOs must have provision of evening and night shifts. Where a BPO is unable to arrange for the same for cost reasons, it must avoid the employment of women during odd hours or else, form a conglomerate with other small BPOs in near vicinity for pick up and drop down.

2. The company must install a GPS for tracking the position of women employee transport vehicles.

3. Initiate 24-hour helpline. Through the helpline, an employee may send an SMS to a particular number which will be automatically forwarded to the company as well as the police headquarters of the State. This may be started as a nationwide service facility for all women employees