Indian call-centres are reeling from shock after a report described their working conditions as similar to those of 'Roman slave ships'.
A New Delhi organisation, the VV Giri National Institute of Labour, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Labour, said the labour practices being followed in call-centres were similar to '19th century prisons'.
It described the extensive surveillance methods that are employed to provide data security to western clients as 'appalling', saying they made working in call-centres akin to being transported on 'slave ships'.
The report is based on a survey of 280 workers in six call-centres in Noida, a suburb of New Delhi.
Indians are familiar with the fact that call-centre employees work under pressure during night shifts - owing to the time difference with the US and Europe - and that tight security, such as recording of phone conversations and closed circuit cameras, is the norm.
However, they are also known for providing their mainly young graduates with a 'fun' environment to mitigate the stress, organising such activities as parties, family picnics and competitions.
But even this ambience has been criticised, with the report saying it is a devious ploy intended to create an illusory sense of 'empowerment and flexibility'.
