Protectionism, racist attacks to affect Indians' dollar dreams

New Delhi, June 16 (PTI) The protectionist measures in
the West and attacks on Indian students in Australia is likely
to negatively affect the Indians' overseas job dreams and the
aspirants may prefer domestic offers, experts believe.

The anti-outsourcing pitch has been gaining momentum in
the US ever since the Barack Obama administration assumed
office early this year and the government has been encouraging
the companies there to hire local people.

Besides, the recent attacks on some Indian students,
allegedly on racism grounds, in Australia is also said to be
affecting the Indians' plans to go to the Asia-Pacific nation,
which has been a favoured destination thus far.

"People are apprehensive for overseas jobs after these
recent attacks. Australia as a country will be somehow
affected in attracting overseas talent," executive search firm
GlobalHunt India Professional Leader Sunil Goel said.

Global staffing services major Manpower's India Managing
Director Naresh Malhan also said: "We should take cognisance
about the recent incidents (attacks on Indian students) that
have happened in Australia.

"There would be an impact on Indian people looking for
jobs abroad but it would be short lived as the need for Indian
talent and its attractiveness is established beyond doubt
across the world."

The recent attacks on Indian students Down Under has left
both students as well as overseas job seekers shaken and
apprehensive.

Coupled with this, US President Barack Obama's recent
statement on the increased importance of Indian students and
the growing concern that jobs are being offshored to places
like "Bangalore", have left the Indian community baffled.

While unveiling plans for tax reforms recently, Obama
said that his country would "stop letting American companies
that create jobs overseas take deductions on their expenses
when they do not pay any American taxes on their profits."

Nearly 60 percent of Indian IT-Business Process
Outsourcing industry caters to the US companies, according to
latest figures. India's BPO industry employs over 17 lakh
professionals.

"We are advanced in technology and serving global market
as back operation hub. Definitely, anti-outsourcing and racist
attacks will encourage Indians to take up jobs in home
country, which in turn will increase competitive edge for us,"
Goel said.

At a recent meeting, Obama urged the nation to hone
their skills and become more competitive.

"We have got to pick up the pace because the world has
gotten competitive. The Chinese, the Indians are coming at us
and they are coming at us hard, and they are hungry and they
are really buckling down," the US President had asserted.

According to experts, India is one of the fastest growing
economies of world and offers ample opportunities at
competitive compensations.

Goel noted that BPO industry in India has grown "because
of cost effectiveness and skills availability.

"Obama's statement has definitely made BPO industry
leaders to re–think on their expansion plans but at the same
time businesses run on competitiveness of quality and price,
so hiring prospects will keep on growing, pace may be slower
than expected." PTI DRR
SCY
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