Call centers = exploitation?
April 2, 2006Inq7 Infotech reports that a local labour group has condemned the call center industry for allegedly exploiting Filipinos, giving them much lower wages than US counterparts.
KMU Spokesperson Prestoline Suyat said in a statement that Filipino contact center agents are paid much lower wages than their US counterparts, pointing to exploitation by multinational firms.
He noted that entry-level workers have an average salary of 15,000 pesos while their US counterparts earn nearly 40,000 pesos per month.
The Filipino contact center agent’s salary also falls short of the 19,950 pesos monthly living cost.
Dude, that’s why they’re offshoring to our country! Imagine if we were to charge them US$50,000 annually apiece–the standard or even the minimum wage for a tech/support worker in the US–then surely no one would bother to outsource here.
IMHO, even a salary of PhP 15,000 is a good enough start. Heck, I started out at about PhP 11,000 monthly when I was an economist with Government–and that was a highly sought-for tech position (yes, I was envied by my batchmates who were then still finishing one more semester before graduating).
I’m not saying we should ignore the plight of our working class (who toil and toil, and don’t even get their full salary’s worth, as the taxman collects his ~20% for pocketing by Mr. Congressman). I’m saying that KMU is too quick to point its finger at the BPO industry as society’s ultimate evil–as most progressive groups are wont to, IMHO.
Also, I would think that those in the contact center industry who are smart enough would consider their current state as temporary. I know a handful of people who used their experience in call centers as stepping stones to better career paths later on. So even if they are indeed “dead-end jobs” (a claim that to some extent, I do agree with), they are not a dead-end for those who know when to move on to better things.
Contact centers are the rage nowadays. They’re like IT jobs a decade ago, and nursing jobs abroad at the turn of the century. Where else do our compatriots turn to for jobs? With everybody–left, right, and center–bickering and clamoring for their 15 minutes of fame, our economy is always at the brink of collapse.
By the way, a great alternative to working at call centers, IMHO, is career problogging. Writing about three blogs for an established blog network will give you about twice the average compensation (as cited above) for work at a call center. That’s without the perks and benefits though (i.e., the free coffee, massages, health plans, and make-out rooms). But who needs perks when you get to have cold cash in your hands? You do get to spend on your own perks!
Previous Comments
I agree with you, buddy. The KMU is quick to accuse again. They should know that the reason for US companies outsourcing the call centers to our country is basically lower cost. And that's a fact. In the semi-conductor industry, we are actually losing out to China which offers a lower cost to US companies. It doesn't make sense to outsource if you'd be spending more. Theyd' might as well leave it in the US. The KMU should do their duty to our countrymen by studying the facts first before coming out with statements that would make them look stupid.
Posted by PJ Belmonte at April 3, 2006, 2:15 pmThis is just KMU's attempt to gain more publicity. BPO and call centers have done its share of improving employment plus increase of dollar revenue.
Posted by Monsolo at April 3, 2006, 4:32 pmWith all due respect, sir, I do not agree with the way people look at a callcenter job as a dead-end career. Being an outsourced personnel myself, Ive seen people climb up the career ladder so fast in the callcenter industry. However, since movements and promotions are pretty quick tendency is that these young people reach the peak of their career at an early stage so there's nowhere else for them to go but to search for another role elsewhere.
Btw, nice to see you writing articles for TMB again. I've been a follower of your blog for quite some time now.
Posted by Steel at April 4, 2006, 11:16 pmWow. I bet KMU's run by total geniuses. Hehe.
I heard about this fairly recent marketing study and their findings show that young people from the lower income brackets actually have hopes of landing a call center job because it provides them with a way to move up. There are quite a few stories that I've read about contact center employees in their team building sessions where young kids tearfully share how being employed in this industry have changed their lives. One specific story I've read was about a girl who was so thankful because in a few months time, she'll have enough money to finally visit her mother who's worked abroad for so many years. Happy, hopping bunnies aside, I think KMU should be thankful that contact centers are providing much needed employment opportunities for our countrymen.
Posted by PML at April 6, 2006, 10:55 pmwhat is 40,000 pesos in US dollars ? whatever it is, could be worst than 15000 pesos in the philippines. living in the US is not what most people think it is. with 40K pesos which is some 800 USD . hell you cannot make both ends meet in the US. So, one point is earning in dollars and spending in dollars is not the same as earning in dollars and spending it in pesos. bottom line the rates in the US will not be given as rates in the Philippines. Another - second the motion that call centers are in the philippines an employment opportunity in the philippines. Masmasarap pa rin mabuhay dito sa pinas ! to aspire for a US pay in the philippines seek better opportunities - climb up the ladder or build your own ladder. Hard to do but not impossible.
My two centavos worth !
Building your own ladders? I like that idea! 
Just what I'm trying to do.
http://racoma.com.ph/archives/abs-cbn-to-interview-this-blogger-for-a-fathers-day-feature/
Angelo
Posted by jangeloracoma at June 23, 2006, 9:27 amAll comments are moderated. Your comments will not appear here unless approved by the blog owner. Thank you.
it can't be 1:1 kasi salary ranges in the US should be higher because of the cost of living. so kung 1:1, tama ka, bakit nga naman nila dadalhin dito! hayyyy…
"make-out rooms" haha that really made laugh. ikaw ha!
Posted by AnP at April 2, 2006, 4:56 pm