Indian industry shocked by harassment of IT professionals

Monday, 10 March 2003, 20:30 IST
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BANGALORE: The Indian IT industry Monday expressed shock at the ill treatment meted out to Indians, including IT professionals, by the Malaysian police due to alleged visa irregularities. The arrests and jailing of Indians, close on the heels of the detention of top executives of an Indian IT services company in Indonesia over a business dispute, has sent shock waves among the technology companies here. "This is absolutely shocking. Whatever the mistake or crime is, such treatment is not justified. The fact is Indians are easy targets," chief executive officer of a leading IT company said. "Indians are not seen as people who will react strongly to such illegal and un-diplomatic actions. Our rulers are too obsessed with our immediate neighbourhood," said another top official of an IT services company. "The problem is that these are countries (in Asia) that you cannot avoid doing business with." Malaysian police Sunday rounded up around 270 Indians, mostly IT professionals, for alleged visa irregularities after carrying out a swoop in search of illegal immigrants. Indian diplomats in Malaysia are trying their best Monday to ensure the release of nearly a dozen Indians who are still jailed. The incident has come as a shock to the Indian companies as Malaysia has been consistently inviting IT professionals from India and speedily processing all work-related permits. "The illegal immigration problem Malaysia is facing is mainly from Indonesia. This is why the incident is very shocking to us," said a company official who returned last year from Kuala Lumpur after a business-scouting visit. "It (the harassment) could be a result of the Indians getting jobs in the new IT corridor. This could be a result of sudden frustration because Indians are seen as more skilled or they are seen as earning wealth," said a marketing executive. "The bottom line is that unless we become a first rate power, we will get third rate treatment. Will any Asian country ever treat an American or a Briton in this manner," asked another executive.
Source: IANS
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