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<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Garamond><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:Garamond'>Nyaki,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Garamond><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:Garamond'>I see deeper issues here than the human
resource issues we touched on earlier which mainly focused on skill sets etc,
so I don’t think it’s a repetition as such, but providing further
insights into the gender differentials and youth issues within the work place
– some of which touch on skill sets. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<ul style='margin-top:0cm' type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l4 level1 lfo3'><font size=3
face=Garamond><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
Garamond'>Given the data and observations you have made, it would have
been nice to unpack the gender issues (and youth issues) observed within
the Kenyan BPO industry. For example, were there cases where there were
gender differentials in remuneration for the same job? If so, it would be
worth Kenya legislating like India, if this piece of legislation does not
exist “In India, there is the Equal Remuneration Act passed in 1976,
providing for the payment of equal remuneration to men and women workers
for same or similar nature of work. Under this law, no discrimination is
permissible in recruitment and service conditions except where employment
of women is prohibited or restricted by the law”.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<ul style='margin-top:0cm' type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:
justify;line-height:normal;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5'><font size=3
face=Garamond><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Garamond'>BPO jobs
are sometime referred to as “sweat jobs” where both gender are
exploited without much quality in the type of job they are undertaking,
the conditions under which they work, transportation during night duty,
cases of insecurity and how it affects both gender etc etc. what were the
observations in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Kenya</st1:country-region></st1:place>?
And were there any gender differentials w.r.t these issues? Could the
approach used by <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mauritius</st1:place></st1:country-region>
which has prohibited night shifts for youth and women be the way to go?
– though I think this is extreme - could <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region> adopt some variation of
this or legislate some minimum level of protection and safe transition of
staff during night hours, maximum work time etc. Does our current labour
law really address some of these fairly BPO unique labour issues?<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:
justify;line-height:normal'><font size=3 face=Garamond><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Garamond'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<ul style='margin-top:0cm' type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:
justify;line-height:normal;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5'><font size=3
face=Garamond><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Garamond'>You
mention that females tend to occupy lower jobs compared to their male
counterparts, I wonder whether in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Kenya</st1:country-region>
we should not consider <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mauritius</st1:place></st1:country-region>
strategy of affirmative action which ensures equity in professional level
jobs and that <st1:PersonName w:st="on">training</st1:PersonName> should
be provided to both gender to ensure upward mobility is enjoyed by both. I
dare say, affirmative action to ensure women do not only occupy low-level
call centre jobs but that we can have more women in the professional
ranks.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face=Garamond><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Garamond;color:navy'> </span></font><font
size=3 face=Garamond><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:
Garamond'>Edith<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;
text-align:center;line-height:normal'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal'><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke
[mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Catherine Adeya<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 11 June 2009 00:25<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Edith Adera<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cc:</span></b> KICTAnet ICT Policy
Discussions<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [kictanet] Day 8 of
10- BPO Discussions, Youth and Gender Issues</span></font><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:115%'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:115%'><u3:p></u3:p>- Day 8 of 10- BPO Discussions, Youth and Gender
Issues Continued -<br>
<br>
It is a few minutes past midnight now so let me introduce Day 8 of the
discussions.<u3:p></u3:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:115%'>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).<u3:p></u3:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:115%'>It is useful to begin by noting that the researchers found
that the unemployment rate (2008 est) was 40% in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Kenya</st1:country-region>,
21.7% in S. Africa, 7.6% in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Mauritius</st1:country-region>
and 6.8% in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
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 <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Kenya</st1:country-region> it was a certificate, diploma or degree
depending on operation; in S. Africa it was Grade 12; <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Mauritius</st1:country-region> school certificate or below and in <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> it was a
High school certificate.<u3:p></u3:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:115%'>The common work related challenges include project management
(especially meeting deadlines) and long hours. Some employees in <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>
complained about challenges with transportation. The detailed summary
findings will be availed. <u3:p></u3:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:115%'>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:<u3:p></u3:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<ol style='margin-top:0cm' start=1 type=1>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo8'><font size=2 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%'>In, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> 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</span></font><span lang=EN-GB>. </span>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.<o:p></o:p></li>
<u3:p></u3:p>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo8'><font size=2 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%'>In <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">South Africa</st1:place></st1:country-region>, 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. </span></font><span
lang=EN-ZA>There is no gender or age based discrimination in the work
place. </span>There exists no law or policy that prefers youth from other
groups of people in employment<font color=black><span style='color:black'>.<u3:p></u3:p></span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo8'><font size=2 face=Calibri><span
lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%'>In <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mauritius</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
there is no 24 hour work culture. In addition, the Labor Act prohibits
employment of female employees in industrial undertakings </span></font><font
size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%'>between 10 p.m. and
5 a.m; while youth are not allowed to work between between 6 p.m. and 6
a.m</span></font><span lang=EN-ZA>. Interestingly, there is clause that </span>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.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<u3:p></u3:p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify'><font size=2
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%'>4.</span></font><font
size=1><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%'> </span></font> <span
lang=EN-ZA>In <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>
we have the Employment Act which many of you know. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<u3:p></u3:p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><font size=2 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%'>This leads us to the following
discussion questions:<u3:p></u3:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><u><font size=2 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-weight:bold'>Discussion Q9</span></font></u></b><u>:
</u>Are the Kenyan laws adequate to protect the youth and women from
exploitation by BPO&O employers?<o:p></o:p></p>
<u3:p></u3:p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><u><font size=2 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-weight:bold'>Discussion Q. 10</span></font></u></b>:
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?<o:p></o:p></p>
<u3:p></u3:p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><u><font size=2 face=Calibri><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-weight:bold'>Discussion Q11</span></font></u></b>:
Attrition and poaching are prevalent in most countries studied. What mechanisms
should employers adopt to attract and retain their staff? <o:p></o:p></p>
<u3:p></u3:p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:115%'>Let the discussions continue as we move to another topic
tomorrow.<u3:p></u3:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:115%'>Thanks<u3:p></u3:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:115%'>Nyaki<u3:p></u3:p><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><u3:p><font size=2 face=Calibri><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:115%'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:
normal'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></u3:p></p>
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