Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 08:18:35 -0800
From: Enrique A Suarez <isuarez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [IP] resend with article attached -- Cybercoolies or cyber
sahibs?
To: dave@xxxxxxxxxx
Hello:
I read with interest this posting on call centers. This is because I am a
Filipino technology journalist.
As such, the call center industry here forms part of my beat.
Just my insights:
1) These so-called "coolie wages"--when translated into Philippine
pesos--are salaries fit for entry-level yuppies. Jobs in this sector are
also vehicles for expanding the middle class in my country.
2) I believe Filipinos have greater familiarity with US culture and do not
need to hone up on this. Filipinos are also more familiar with American
English.
3) Call centers--lowly though they may be in the service economy
chain--are welcome in the Philippines,because they provide employment to
fresh college graduates.
4) Filipinos are not competing with India here on wages. In fact, pay
scales are almost similar. We are competing on the fact that Philippine
history--"50 years in Hollywood" as a US colony--will give us an edge in
understanding US clients.Policymakers also believe that the right moves
will enable the Philippines to move up the "food chain" vis-a-vis
e-services in time. But a good start can be made with "call centers" where
Filipinos can start to prove their worth.
5) Lastly, the policy vis-a-vis e-services--and this includes call
centers--is for coopetition with India.
This is all for now.
Ike
_