Nashik BPOs fail to pay even average salary

The dream of Nashik¿s graduates and under-graduates, looking for the bright career in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, has shattered due to the below average salary (BAS) being paid by the existing BPO companies in Nashik.

Tricom India, a non-voiced BPO company, is the lowest salary-paying company in Nashik, followed by other small private players.

WNS Global, though it is too not paying average salary to its data processing operators (DPO), is paying Rs 800 to Rs 2,500 more than the other BPO companies in Nashik, according to sources.

The ITPO industries in Mumbai and Pune have almost reached the saturation level and Nashik is emerging as the next destination for ITPO companies.

Many ITPO companies are eyeing to extend their base in Nashik because of its proximity to Mumbai and Pune, low real estate prices (as compared to Mumbai & Pune), adequate skilled manpower, availability of abundant water and good infrastructure like roads & electricity.

BPO companies in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad are known for paying higher salaries to its employees. Hence, today¿s young aspirants are looking at this sector for their bright career.

But, hopes of Nashik¿s graduate and under graduate aspirants planning to make their career in BPO sector have shattered as the existing BPO companies, which have extended their base from Mumbai/Pune to Nashik, have failed to pay at least an average salary to their employees.

According to sources, the non-voiced BPO workforce in Nashik is around 2,250. Around seven non-voiced BPO companies, including Mumbai-based Tricom India and WNS Global Services, are operational here. The rest of the five BPOs are small private players with an average strength of 50 each.

Mumbai-based non-voice BPO major Tricom India Ltd (TIL), which has two units in Mumbai, has set up a BPO unit in Nashik. The company, which began Nashik operation in January 2007, has recruited 400 Data Processing Operators (DPOs).

The company, which is paying good salary to its employees in its two units in Mumbai, is the lowest salary-paying BPO in Nashik. Out of 400, around 90 per cent DPOs are getting only Rs. 2,500 per month, which is so less as compared to Mumbai & Pune.

"I have been working in Nashik unit of TIL since the beginning at Rs 2,500 per month, which is so less and I can't manage my expenses. The company neither increased nor assured about increment. I had very much attraction about the BPO companies for paying higher salaries. But, after knowing the fact, I am planning to quit this field," said Tanmay, the commerce graduate.

Around five small private BPOs, with a total headcounts of 350, are operational in the city. These BPOs are paying salaries between Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 per month to each employee.

WNS Global Services has set up two units in Nashik with a total DPOs (data processing operators) of 1,500. Out of them, the salaries of 80 per cent DPOs ranges between Rs 3,300 to Rs 4,300 each per month.

The rest of the 20 per cent DPOs are getting salaries between Rs 4,500 to Rs 6,000 each per month, but they have been working here for the last two to four years.

"I have been working with WNS Global Services as Data Processing Operator for the last four years and my salary has reached Rs. 6,000 per month only. As compared to Mumbai and Pune, Nashik BPOs are not paying at least minimum average salary. Today, there is ITPO buzz in Nashik, but what about the future of the young aspirants working in BPOs in Nashik. The fact is that they cant live a life with good standard on the present salary," said the Science graduate.