Downer in Jobs for India cheer squad

Date: 03 December 2001

The Australian Services Union (ASU) today accused the Federal Government of joining the "Jobs for India" cheer squad by it's call for new economy and IT industries to invest in Indian IT and call centre industries.

The ASU called upon the Federal government to instead support Australian IT and call centre jobs, and to stop encouraging the export of Australian jobs.

The union call followed the Federal Government's release of "India - New Economy; Old Economy". The Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Downer is quoted as saying that he supported Australian businesses taking their investment off-shore to assist in the development of Indian call centres as they posed a number of advantages for Australian business.

"Like cheaper wages and totally unregulated working conditions," said ASU Victorian Branch President, Martin Foley.

Australian call centres are booming and we need to do all we can to keep work on our shores by developing the Australian industry," said Mr Foley.

"Multinational call centres don't need any encouragement to go shopping the world for cheaper labour and reduced costs. They are doing it now. What we need is a competitive edge for Australian call centres based around our people, our infrastructure and our education system. The last thing we need is our own government taking up the call to export jobs," Mr Foley said.

"Mr Downer should immediately retract and start a campaign to bring call centres to Australia. In the post-September 11 world there exist real opportunities for a stable, well educated and booming call centre workforce like ours," said Mr Foley.

To see the report and Mr Downer's press release for yourself click here.

For further information

Contact:	Jason Gibson
Union:	Australian Services Union - Vic MEU Private Sector Branch
Phone:	03 9342 3418
Contact Mobile:	0418 100 319
Fax:	03 9342 3499
Email:	jgibson@meupsvic.asu.asn.au
WWW:	http://www.asuvic.org

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