British union targets outsourcing to India

Tuesday, 09 September 2003, 19:30 IST
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LONDON: Top British companies that have outsourced thousands of jobs to India may face economic boycott from domestic customers, a survey has revealed. If British consumers do not buy goods and services offered by companies that have transferred back office operations to India, the expectation is that the companies might be forced to reconsider their decision. Amicus, the biggest public sector union in Britain, carried out a survey. Reports say British consumers would "punish" companies that transfer call centre and other jobs to India. Nearly two thirds of those questioned said they would take outsourcing into account when deciding what to buy. Amicus is one of the major contributors to Labour party's funds, paying nearly £ 1.5 million a year in membership fees. Reports said that almost nine out of 10 said they believed that companies that served mainly British customers should support jobs in Britain. The survey was carried out for the union by the polling firm Performance House. Top names in British industry have opened back office operations in India. Critics of the move might consider publicising a list of the companies that have moved thousands of jobs to India. Consumers would then be asked to keep away from goods and services offered by these companied. Apart from telecom and IT majors, British insurance majors have also downsized their British operations and set up offices in Bangalore, Gurgaon and elsewhere in India.
Source: IANS
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