Indian IT Firms Outsource Jobs to US?

Outsourcing has truly come full circle.


One of President Barack Obama’s most popular promises was his commitment to stop the outsourcing of American jobs to India. In a unique twist, some of the Indian companies he targeted are now hiring unemployed Americans by the thousands for BPO jobs, as the escalating unemployment rates have made US hires financially attainable for Indian providers.  However, it’s not cost savings but the “local knowledge, efficiency, and increased socialisation” provided by US workers that has Indian IT companies hiring from within the US.


For one, Aegis (the BPO branch of the Mumbia-based Essar Group) currently employs 5,000 US citizens with plans to hire 10,000 more by 2013.  According to an Aegis spokesperson, clients appreciate having local US agents attend to their calls, so Aegis plans to respond by increasing the number of local agents.  Other companies, including Infosys, India’s second largest IT company, Genpact, TCS, and Wipro either have large centers developed in the US or have plans to develop one within the year.  Many industry leaders including Ameet Nivsarkar, spokesperson for IT provider Nasscom, argue that this trend is a very logical step for the growing IT market in India.  ”Most of the multinational hire locally to strengthen their base.  As Indian IT companies look at larger markets and move up the value chain, it makes sense to include local people,” Nivsarkar said.


Read it at Business Today.