Post Delhi, 35% dip in BPO output

At least one in three women employees in the ITeS-BPO sector in Bangalore have reduced their working hours after sunset or quit their jobs in the past fortnight after the Delhi gangrape, according to a survey.

The survey by the ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation found that Bangalore’s BPO-ITeS sector has suffered a 35 pc loss of productivity after the incident. According to ASSOCHAM, 1.5 lakh women work in Bangalore’s ITeS and BPO units.

The survey says 82 pc of women said they have started leaving early due to anxiety which is more among those who travel by buses, autos and metro.  “Security is one of the major concerns for women working in the BPO, KPO and ITeS sectors. The odd hours of work and long distances make women prone to difficult and often dangerous situations,” said ASSOCHAM secretary general D S Rawat.

“None of the women said that they had lodged a formal complaint. Statistics reflect crimes reported to the police. Violence experienced on public transport never enters crime records,” he said.