Raja Simhan T.E.
Anjali Prayag

Chennai/Bangalore , March 19

INDIA shining. That's not just a political campaign slogan but the feeling abroad too.

An increasing number of foreign nationals are seeking jobs in Indian companies across sectors, particularly in the IT industry. Though the numbers are not large enough yet to call it a trend, this reverse migration is bound to pick up with a host of US-based firms moving work offshore.

Mr Kris Lakshmikanth, CEO and Managing Director, The Headhunters, a Bangalore-based recruitment company, has been receiving calls from several foreign nationals. "From low-level programmers and call-centre employees to team leaders, IT professionals and retail sales persons, I have been receiving resumes from all these sectors. Though the trend started with the opening of the telecom sector a few years ago, the rush has become noticeable now in the IT industry, thanks to recession in the US, mass layoffs and the offshoring boom," he said.

Mr Subu D. Subramanian, Director and Senior Vice-President, Satyam Computer Services Ltd, said he has about half-a-dozen resumes of foreign nationals, including two Americans and a German, willing to relocate with their families to India. And no, they are not those laid-off in the US. "They are senior, working IT professionals," he said.

Mr Pratik Kumar, Corporate Vice-President (Human Resources), Wipro Ltd, confirmed that those wanting to be a part of the offshoring and outsourcing story were exploring options here. But, according to him, the cost of hiring such folk here may make companies think twice about taking them in. "I do not see this picking up significantly in the foreseeable future."

The interest is from middle-rung managers and upwards. Mr Ranjit Pisharoty, Senior Vice-President (Technology), Lason India, a BPO player, said the glut of talent available in India at the lower level is the reason for this. At the middle and senior levels, especially in pre-sales support, account management and client engagement, there are openings for experienced hands that can span the cultural divide. "The advantage of a foreign applicant's local knowledge would be valuable," he said.

According to Mr Pisharoty, "Seasoned MBAs, business analysts, hardcore client engagement and account management professionals with PMP (project management professional) certification are the ones exploring options. A large number would have worked with the big consultancy firms and bring those skills." There are also a few senior professionals who add value in core technology areas such as mobile and wireless computing, telecom and networking and embedded systems.

Salaries promised here for the middle-level and upwards are competitive with the rest of the world. They range between $60,000 and $150,000 in the US for this kind of talent, he said.

Mr Balaji E., General Manager (Staffing Solutions), Ma Foi Consultants, a Chennai-based recruitment firm, said while moving work offshore, some US-based companies also offer laid-off employees positions in India. However, these expatriates may not get the high remuneration and perks offered to senior-level managers.

Mr Lakshmikanth confirmed that he now has the resume of an IT MNC employee who was laid off in Silicon Valley and now "does not mind working in the same company in Bangalore." Countries other than the US are also sources of such resumes. Mr Gautam Sinha, CEO, TVA Infotech, felt "big-time hiring" is happening from the Philippines, Sri Lanka and other South-East Asian countries.

Mr K. Pandia Rajan, Chairman and Managing Director, Ma Foi, pointed out that East Europeans have been hired by the telecom industry for quite some time now. "In fact, Reliance has quite a few of them at its Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge Centre."

Apart from the IT and BPO sectors, the oil, gas and energy sectors also show this phenomenon in a limited way. Mr Rajan pointed out why some foreign nationals are making a beeline for India: While some companies are sending their "redundant" people here on an intra-company transfers, there are a group of spiritually inclined expatriates who is trying to get assignments here. "India offers the best of the spiritual and the material world and is a much safer place to work in than the Gulf. That could be the reason for the rush," he opined.

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