- Sunday, 22 November 2009
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The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple - Oscar Wilde
IBM offers workers a permanent holiday
THE LAST THING that would pop into our heads after being laid off from work with no money and a worrying time ahead is, “let’s move to India” – if only IBM felt the same way.
Since the beginning of this year IBM has laid off around 4,000 US workers, and boy has the company got a treat in store for them – a move half way around the world.
Of course IBM weighed up the pros and cons, and came to the conclusion that because India is a hot country with cheap living costs and a diverse variety of food it wouldn’t matter so much that you get paid diddly squat.
This spark of inspiration is called Project Match, the idea being that workers are simply relocated to a completely different country, but that this would be the same, as they would be doing the same job.
IBM stands firmly by the fact that its workers won't mind being moved across the world as long as their employer helps them out with travel assistance, visa obtainment and a big push onto the plane.
The documentation which has been passed around to these lucky ex-employees and seen by Information Week states: "IBM has established Project Match to help you locate potential job opportunities in growth markets where your skills are in demand.
"Should you accept a position in one of these countries, IBM offers financial assistance to offset moving costs, provides immigration support, such as visa assistance, and other support to help ease the transition of an international move."
If India, doesn't float your boat, IBM offers to relocate you to China, Mexico, the Czech Republic, Russia, South Africa, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates or any other place where labour is cheap as chips
An IBM spokesmantold Information Week: "It's more of a vehicle for people who want to expand their life experience by working somewhere else, a lot of people want to work in India."
Who on Earth’s he been speaking to? μ
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I hate to say it, but if you have no job at present, no market for your skills locally, and are young and looking for adventure, I can think of worse.
At least IBM is offering jobs to the laid off people, no matter how small a carrot.
And, my last trip to an IBM center was filled with employees from India anyway. I am guessing a number of them will be happy to work closer to home.
Perhaps he has been speaking to the MaGeek?
A move to Nigeria? Hmmm Lets see, unemployed in the US or redeployment to Nigeria.
-TJ
Eventually you will be replaced by someone there to take your duties and responsibilities. What they do. By saying they will send you over there is that someone else will take over your position. Say it Hindu, Mexican or Chinese. There are hordes of IT guys willing to take any job over there. The IT industry is evolving to become something related to low wages. Something similar is happening in the auto industry.
It would reduce costs, cut down on plane trips since all the manufacturing, call centers etc are already in India. A similar pay cut inline with the rest of the staff is to be expected.
BT = Mahindra. India is gradually becoming a very serious powerhouse. It has all our tech, our jobs, manufacturing, largest steel plant in the world, very cheap car production, nuclear weapons, 1 billion people. It is the new superpower due this century.
In fact if you took a job there and staked your claim, you could probably make it big and come back to USA a richer man.
that the labor laws in your new home will make you a virtual indentured servant.
I work in Bangalore and I can tell u there are lot of people from Europe and US working in India. I was working with some of my Europe colleagues who came and stayed here for 3 years and I can tell u they are missing India once they are back home. Once u realize India is different from your own, its very easy to get accommodated. Added bonus being u get luxuries which u cannot afford in US/Europe in India like driver/Maids/big houses etc. Also Indians treat outsiders very well and don't discriminate like in other contries.
Some people prefer to lose their jobs than relocate huh. Beats me. And before you start shouting, many cities in India like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune are rapidly growing, and aren't you typical "INDIAN" places. Lot of expatriates live there, and comfortably.