The Delhi rape incident has had a far reaching consequences – It has not only shaken the entire nation, but has bought about sensitization among young men and women about such incidences in the country.
One of the fall-outs of this incidence has been tremendous fall in workforce productivity as reported by a survey done by ASSOCHAM. The decline in productivity among women has been especially severe in ITeS-BPO space, where one in three amongst the female worker has either reduced working hours after sunset or quit jobs within the last fortnight.
Delhi is not the only city which has witnessed this, but also in other major cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur and others.
Highlights of ASSOCHAM Survey
- Due to insecurities following the incidents, 89% of women who participated in the survey in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida and Faridabad said they have begun insisting on leaving offices on time, immediately after duty hours. The same across the country averaged at 82 percent.
- 67% of the respondents said that they are not comfortable with the atmosphere to work in BPO and ITeS sector, which relies on shifts and odd work-hours.
- 38% of the respondents said that they are not satisfied with the security arrangements made within and outside of their workspace.
- 82% of females said they fear travelling in public transport during odd hours, especially at night, in comparison to only 22% of men.
It is interesting to note that the women workforce has been on the rise over past few years. In 2011-12, IT industry had 52% women in its workforce compared to 32% in 2008-09.
On a personal level, I think that BPO, KPO and ITeS companies need to put in place strong security arrangements, because few more incidences like these and majority of women will literally stop working in places with odd timings.
Here is the full report released by ASSOCHAM
Govts are lethergic when faced with emergency issues. Govt will not care if workforce trends change. The govt will not wake up until the turn over of the company comes down and govt starts getting less taxes. By then one year has passed and some new issue has taken center stage and people pressure has lessened on govt.
Some policies to be implemented are as follows : (My view only)
Company should buy busses and have own drivers and conductors, be it night or day. This activity should not be outsourced. This makes drivers / other transport staff accountable.
But as people are debating, the punishment is one thing that discourages many incidents. Capital punishment is to be considered. Our legal system which is decades old is not keeping pace with recent developments.
I am not saying capital punishments stop all future incidents. But even if a few are stopped that is the benifit to the society. Just by adding cameras in busses, putting criminal profiles in websites are costmetic changes only.
Just my two paisa :)