The Hindu Business Line : Code of conduct on BPO staff security being drafted

SHAKEN by the sexual assault and murder of a call centre employee in Bangalore last week, the Call Centre Association of India (CCAI) is planning to come out with a `code of conduct' to ensure physical security of the employees of BPO companies.

"We had a meeting of our executive committee on Saturday, and have decided to release a code of conduct for the industry within a month. In the next week or ten days, we will place the draft code of conduct on our Web site for feedback from our members," Mr Sam Chopra, President of CCAI, said. CCAI currently has 60-70 call centres as its members. He said the code of conduct would prescribe norms on security issues, including third party verification of agencies involved in transportation and catering. "We may recommend speed governors on vehicles, so that cabs plying at night cannot accelerate beyond a certain speed. The code would also be applicable on security guards who accompany the women workers in BPOs to and from work," he said.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued here, the National Association of Software and Services Companies has expressed shock and dismay at the incident and said it highlighted the need for safety and security.

"Companies continuously review their security practices, and Nasscom has already initiated a process of putting together `best practices' in the human resources area, for adoption by all its members. We are aware that warped, criminal minds will try to find ways of circumventing the protection and procedures already in place, and therefore, there is need to constantly devise `better practices'. Accordingly, any insights and learning that may arise from the investigation into this incident will also be incorporated in these guidelines," it said.

"As one of the industries that require people to work at night, we will continue working with the police, as also other organisations, to see how the safety and security environment can be improved," Nasscom added.