India will raise the issue of the United States Call Centre Worker and Consumer Protection Bill in the appropriate Governmental forum as also bilaterally through the US administration to safeguard the trade and investment interests of the Indian industry, including IT in the US market, Ms Nirupama Rao, Indian Ambassador to the US, said.
Speaking at a business session organised by the CII here on Thursday, Ms Rao said that the country was in the process of undertaking a detailed impact analysis of the Bill in terms of the scope of its business coverage and, more importantly, the impact it would have on the Indian BPO industry. “We are in touch with NASSCOM and the relevant government departments on this issue,” she said.
The Embassy, she said, was aware of the introduction of this Bill, earlier this month. The proposed legislation seeks to focus on the issues emanating out of possible relocation of call centres to overseas markets. “We have also conveyed that protectionist barriers in this field tend to be counterproductive in their outcome,” she said.
Impact on IT
She pointed out that seven per cent of the total global workforce of Indian IT companies works in US centres. Business activities of Indian IT and other service companies and of manufacturing enterprises have helped their business expansion globally but also benefitted a cross section of people in several States of the US. Quoting a study by the Indian Industry Association, she said that IT companies from India support approximately 98,000 jobs in the US. In creating new jobs, they have sustained a CAGR of 35 per cent in the last five years. In 2006 around 21,774 jobs were created, and this year the number is 97,135.
India's focus on innovation and business-related research and service delivery partnerships of Indian businesses with the US have contributed to increased competitiveness and growth of US companies globally, she added.
Emphasising the need to expand and diversify India's export basket to the US, Ms Rao said that the US offers a strong opportunity for Indian companies to partner with local businesses in research and development of new products and processes relevant for India and the whole world including in the field of engineering, pharmaceuticals, bio technology, clean energy etc.
The association of Indian business with the US economy through trade and two way investments has been of enormous benefit to Indian companies. The trade in goods is likely to touch $52-54 billion this year, and another $42 billion in services. There are strong investment links; growing cooperation in technology and innovations and extensive engagement in different areas of economy, she said.