[kictanet] Day 8 of 10- BPO Discussions, Youth and Gender Issues

[Wainaina Mungai]

Nyaki,

I got that very same feeling that day 8 intro is a repeat of day 7's intro...

might be a time zone issue ;-)

Wainaina

On 6/11/09, Bill Kagai <billkagai at gmail.com> wrote:
> This looks like repetition of Day7 unless am missing
> something.....or..... confused.....
>
> On Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 12:24 AM, Catherine Adeya<elizaslider at yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>>
>> - Day 8 of 10- BPO Discussions, Youth and Gender Issues Continued -
>>
>> It is a few minutes past midnight now so let me introduce Day 8 of the
>> discussions.
>>
>> Today we continue with the theme of Youth and Gender issues. The following
>> is part of the summary I sent yesterday (the detailed attachment I sent
>> yesterday is re-attached).
>>
>> It is useful to begin by noting that the researchers found that the
>> unemployment rate (2008 est) was 40% in Kenya, 21.7% in S. Africa, 7.6% in
>> Mauritius and 6.8% in India. The researchers also found that the minimum
>> qualification for professional staff was a Bachelor’s degree in all four
>> countries.  However, the minimum qualification for operators/agents
>> varied.
>> In Kenya it was a certificate, diploma or degree depending on operation;
>> in
>> S. Africa it was Grade 12; Mauritius school certificate or below and in
>> India it was a High school certificate.
>>
>> The common work related challenges include project management (especially
>> meeting deadlines) and long hours. Some employees in Kenya complained
>> about
>> challenges with transportation.  The detailed summary findings will be
>> availed.
>>
>> Generally there were more women in call centres than male but more males
>> in
>> the professional cadre.  The youth are mostly found in the agent/operator
>> jobs. The following are some country specific issues:
>>
>> In, India there is the Equal Remuneration Act ensures that there is equal
>> remuneration to men and women for same jobs. Under this law, no
>> discrimination is permissible in recruitment and service conditions except
>> where employment of women is prohibited or restricted by the law. NASSCOM
>> has launched the Women in Leadership-IT Initiative to enhance
>> participation
>> of women in the workforce and ensure there are more women leaders in the
>> IT-BPO industry.
>> In South Africa, there are 40% more females than males below 25 years
>> working in the BPO sector. However, there are 7% more males than females
>> above 25 years old.  There is no gender or age based discrimination in the
>> work place. There exists no law or policy that prefers youth from other
>> groups of people in employment.
>> In Mauritius, there is no 24 hour work culture. In addition, the Labor Act
>> prohibits employment of female employees in industrial undertakings
>> between
>> 10 p.m. and 5 a.m; while youth are not allowed to work between between 6
>> p.m. and 6 a.m. Interestingly, there is clause that no person shall,
>> except
>> with the Permanent Secretary's written consent, transport a female worker
>> or
>> cause a female worker to be transported in a goods vehicle; any other
>> vehicle, unless the vehicle is provided with an easy means of entering and
>> alighting which does not involve climbing.
>>
>> 4.   In Kenya we have the Employment Act which many of you know.
>>
>> This leads us to the following discussion questions:
>>
>> Discussion Q9: Are the Kenyan laws adequate to protect the youth and women
>> from exploitation by BPO&O employers?
>>
>> Discussion Q. 10: The BPO sector is not seen as a long term source of
>> employment for most employees. Most believe it is a stepping stone to
>> other
>> lucrative opportunities. What needs to be done to ensure the youth and
>> women
>> view the industry as attractive, especially in terms of quality of
>> employment and career progression?
>>
>> Discussion Q11: Attrition and poaching are prevalent in most countries
>> studied. What mechanisms should employers adopt to attract and retain
>> their
>> staff?
>>
>> Let the discussions continue as we move to another topic tomorrow.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Nyaki
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
>
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