Abstract :
This essay explores a section of the working population namely persons employed in the BPO industry, their working conditions, the legal framework applicable to these employees and the way forward to ensure better protection of persons employed in this sector. This essay first delves into the working conditions of a BPO employee in India. This is followed by an analysis of the applicability of various labour legislations such as the Shops and Establishments Act, the Industrial Disputes Act, the Sexual Harassment Act etc. to determine the degree of rights and protection conferred by these statutes on employees in this particular industry. The focus then shifts on to the hurdles faced by employees in this industry despite the presence of protectionist labour legislations. The essay also presents some plausible solutions to the problems currently faced by BPO employees.
Keyword :
BPO, employee, labour, protection, call-centre workers/employees, Industrial Disputes Act, Shops and Establishments Act, Sexual Harassment, unionization, collective bargaining.