BPO Trade Unions- A Curse, Or A Boon?

Till yesterday the BPO sector has been away from any kind of unionism. But now it seems the bug is fast catching on here as well. Trade Unionism is reaching out to the low wage ‘sweatshops’ that BPOs have become. The global Union Network International has launched an organisation that targets workers in back offices. The centre for BPO Professionals has been launched in Hyderabad and Bangalore and will be formally registered in August.

The rise of a trade union in the BPO sector has created havoc in the industry, which has already been under fire in the U.S. and Europe for spiriting away jobs to the sub-continent. Some experts are of the opinion that this could kill the BPO boom in the country.

The centre does not term itself as a union, but its mandate is not much different. They too have decided to take up issues that need to be addressed to ensure the well being of the workers. The centre will be registered as a forum affiliated to the Union Network International, linked to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.

The need for a trade union was being felt, as the BPO industry is unregulated and has many problems. The managements do not take care of the workers’ health or fix proper working hours. Besides, there is no job security.

Jesmine