IBM Offers To Move Laid Off Workers To India

[whereisjustice]

Last edited Thu Feb 26, 2015, 12:58 AM - Edit history (1)

Big Blue wants to help redundant U.S. employees relocate to developing markets, according to an internal document.

The climate is warm, there's no shortage of exotic food, and the cost of living is rock bottom. That's IBM's pitch to the laid-off American workers it's offering to place in India. The catch: Wages in the country are pennies-on-the-dollar compared to U.S. salaries.

...

A spokesman for Alliance@IBM, a workers' group that's affiliated with the Communications Workers of America but which does not have official union status at IBM, slammed the program. "IBM is not only offshoring IBM U.S. jobs but they want employees to offshore themselves through Project Match," said the spokesman.

An IBM spokesman said the program shouldn't be seen in that light. "It's more of a vehicle for people who want to expand their life experience by working somewhere else," said the spokesman. "A lot of people want to work in India."


http://www.informationweek.com/it-strategy/ibm-offers-to-move-laid-off-workers-to-india/d/d-id/1076193?

On edit:
I was looking for info on the recent round IBM layoffs last month and didn't catch this was from 2009

I thought about deleting it but I think it is still relevant given the latest round of job losses.

I don't know if this made it to breaking news or not, its from Feb. 2.

Goddamn - it takes a special sort of sociopath to be a corporate spokesperson.

Oh, don't worry Hillary's got our backs. Right after she get's her $300,000 speaking fee.

[dhill926]

1. whoa...

I clicked on this, totally expecting it to be The Onion or Borowitz.

[whereisjustice]

3. Things are getting worse for workers in the US every day... and the Democratic Party's presumed

presidential nominee is busy testing focus groups and polls and selling herself like a celebrity bubblehead for $300,000 a shot.

[Aerows]

19. "The beatings will continue

until moral improves." That's the only way I can sum up the situation.

[JDPriestly]

35. So true.

Bernie Sanders is looking better every day.

[LiberalElite]

2. What the flying F??? nt

[TheFarseer]

4. hey, we can all move to india

And give this country back to the Native Americans. They can't offshore our jobs if we already live in India.

[whereisjustice]

5. We need to send the CEOs to Asia so we can heal. Let them go fuck up some place else, let them

love the poverty and desperation their shit ethics and morals produce. And send most of Congress with them.

[ND-Dem]

48. they can offshore to bangladesh. i hear indian workers are getting expensive.

[antigop]

6. Hillary: "Outsourcing will continue..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/07/AR2007090702780.html

But our outrage is "manufactured".

[ND-Dem]

7. I knew this would happen. US workers emigrate to the Third World for jobs.

Fuck the predator state. And all the predators running it for their mess of pottage.

[JDPriestly]

39. The more jobs are exported, the lower the wages of Americans, the

lower our tax base, the more difficult it will be for the US to maintain its military superiority.

Allowing this kind of export of jobs without imposing huge penalties on the exporting employers is really stupid. It is short-sighted and stupid.

I oppose Hillary Clinton's candidacy in part on the ground that she is too close to a lot of foreign interests. She does not care enough about American working people.

[GummyBearz]

8. Someone elses idea...

On another thread earlier today someone had the idea of giving Indian politicians H1B visa's to replace our politicians. They would do the job for less money, charge less for speaking fees, etc.. haha

[Rex]

9. 'Redundant U.S. employees', welcome to global free trade!

Expect to see a lot of that. IBM...how sad.

[greytdemocrat]

10. Holy Crap!!!

And it probably would be until your system got
used to the local...flavor???

[herding cats]

11. What? I thought we were having to import skilled labor from India because there was a shortage here?

Now we're so glutted with skilled labor we need to send them to India, where they'll also earn a six figure salary, only catch is it's in rupees?

[whereisjustice]

13. +1 you have perfectly highlighted the lying sack of shits in the CEO offices of Wall Street

[ND-Dem]

22. global capitalism: racheting down wages for all.

useless sacks of shit, I call 'em

[antigop]

12. Our outrage is "manufactured". Yeah, sure it is. nt

[greytdemocrat]

14. Story from 2009??? n/t

[whereisjustice]

15. wow, good catch I missed that, thank you.

[kelliekat44]

16. I hope IBM gets a strong backlash! Boycott from me. nt

[whereisjustice]

17. I was looking for info on the recent round of IBM layoffs and didn't catch this was from 2009

I thought about deleting it but I think it is still relevant given the latest round of job losses.

[Aerows]

18. Move to India

Get paid pennies on the dollar, thus ensuring that you can never leave India.

[Fred Sanders]

20. The cost of living in India is a fraction of that in America. A high tech salary job India would

well translate into a decent standard of living in India ......and an adventure for some.

Upper level high tech jobs in India pay between 1 million and 3 million rupees per year....you could live very well using those rupees in a rupee economy. Very well.

http://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Industry=High-Tech/Salary

[ND-Dem]

23. that must be why so many indian tech workers are moving to the US; because things are so

much better in India.

A million rupees = a little over $16K. Assuming a 40 hour week, 52 weeks a year, that's less than $8/hr for those 'upper level high tech jobs'.

Yeah, the wonderful "rupee economy"!!!!

You can always find servants with your pittance because most people are sleeping (and shitting) on the streets! wonderful!! and soon we'll all be living like that!!!

I just love taking advantage of the misery of others in order to survive!!!!

(Actually, I'd rather die than live in such a hideous world)

[Fred Sanders]

24. That is true. 16k dollars converted to rupees used in India, is not the same as 16k dollars in America.

The cost of living in India is literally a fraction....a full time cook would set you back 50000 rupees a year. Tops.
Food is a fraction, housing a fraction, entertainment a fraction, clothing, etc. etc.

It is far from hideous...hideous is some places in America as well.

[ND-Dem]

26. Yes, you're poor and others are even poorer: sleeping and shitting in the street, so you can

act the Lord Bountiful and use them as you're used by the bigger predators above you.

what a wonderful world.

[Fred Sanders]

28. Why the outrage?.. You do not know what you are typing about, with respect.

[ND-Dem]

30. I've traveled and lived in third world countries and I do know, actually. I've also traveled and

lived in first world countries among the international rich, so I do know, actually.

with respect.

[Fred Sanders]

33. So you understand what I mean about local cost of living?

[ND-Dem]

37. no, only you know. some people are ok with the exploitation inherent in the situation;

others think it's great and that they're getting some grand 'bargain'.


Take your place on the great Mandala
As it moves through your brief moment of time
Win or lose now, you must choose now
And if you lose you're only losing your life

[Fred Sanders]

40. Folks make 5 dollars an hour as waiters and waitress in America..that is also....exploitation.

[ND-Dem]

42. you don't get it. never mind. go to india and enjoy your servants.

[Fred Sanders]

44. 3 million rupees a year in high tech, I am gone! Enjoy your ND winters.

[ND-Dem]

45. well, should be easy. go on then, i'm sure you can get your 3 million.

[HERVEPA]

47. "I am gone" If only.

[Fred Sanders]

49. Fortunately for you India has excellent Internet services. You can still read my posts.

[ND-Dem]

58. now about that, i had to laugh.

[Aerows]

27. Even at 3 million

that's only about 48,000/year.

[Fred Sanders]

29. Has no one heard of "cost of living" or currency conversion?

48 thousand American dollars a year in India converted to rupees and you are a wealthy person!

No kidding.

[Aerows]

31. I've heard of currency conversion

which is why I was able to calculate that 3m INR is 48,000.

If you move to India and take a job at 48,000 a year, regardless of how low the cost of living is, you will end up being stuck there because you don't have enough money to move back to the US. That was my point. Moving across country is expensive, moving overseas is far more expensive.

[Fred Sanders]

36. If you are making 48 thousand American dollars in India you may want to move back.

A return ticket is around 1200 dollars, more or less.



?w=630

[Skittles]

21. there's not enough money in the world that would make me do that

no indeed

[one_voice]

25. Um, this story is 6 years old.

Could be you missed it was from 2009?

[whereisjustice]

34. yes, you are correct. I edited my post. I've been interested in the latest round of layoffs

especially since IBM and others are demanding more H1Bs and offshoring incentives due to "lack of skills in USA".

[one_voice]

41. Sorry I didn't see someone else

mentioned it. I commented before I read through.

[TheKentuckian]

38. This isn't latest breaking, what difference does it make?

[ND-Dem]

43. we're in general discussion in case you're confused. and US workers being coerced into

working in the third world makes a difference.

[pkdu]

51. The link is 6 years old in case your confused..try to keep up.

Oh , and in case you are wondering , I worked for IBM at that time , and glad I dont now.

[ND-Dem]

52. the link may be 20 years old for all i care; the tactics it describes have only intensified; it's

not a one-off, and if you don't understand that, you shouldn't be trying to talk politics.

[pkdu]

53. Sorry "Skinner" - didnt mean to violate the TOS

Are you an IBM employee , or were you ever?

[ND-Dem]

54. i've worked at a large us corporation. there's nothing unique about ibm.

[pkdu]

55. Well , since the OP was about IBM...and yes , if you had worked for them , or researched, you'd know

but you dont , and its not my job to educate you.

[ND-Dem]

57. the article is about ibm offering to send their laid-off workers to the third world. there's

unique about ibm.

[Warpy]

32. "Rock bottom cost of living" with wages that reflect it.

In addition, real estate is incredibly expensive there, the reason so many extended families are all crowded together in one house or flat.

They'd love to get better trained and more productive US workers over there at Indian wages, that's their wet dream now.

[lpbk2713]

46. Of course if you want luxuries like indoor plumbing or air conditioning ...

or more living space than your current bedroom, well you might as well stay put.

[Fred Sanders]

50. The level of information some folks have about India is....interesting.

Rental about 30000 to 50000 rupees per month is typical, air condition..even running water!

Very high end in 100000 range.

[ND-Dem]

59. and servants!!! who work dirt cheap!!! you can live the life of the upper classes there, and

exploit the poor!! how happy you'll be!!!

[TheFarseer]

61. and you can pass by old, sick and poverty stricken people

dying in the streets and laugh at their misfortune. They should have worked harder those silly gooses!

[Telcontar]

56. That is some eoic trolling

Fuck the worker. Heh, that's awesome. So glad I dont own an IBM.

[hollysmom]

60. When I was laid off at mellon they offered to move me to either of two places each with a pay cut

India or Pittsburgh.
I had saved for years seeing this coming and took the lay off at 58 instead. Never worked again.

[ND-Dem]

62. can i ask how long ago that was and what 'mellon' is? i know carnegie-mellon and the

mellon family, but not sure that's what you mean.

thanks.

[hollysmom]

63. 12 years ago, Mellon bank had become just Mellon before

it merged with bank of NY and now is bank of NY/mellon. it decided the money was in financial hijinx and had sold off all it's banking operations.

I was in an acquired business of HR outsourcing they purchased and pretty much ruined and then sold off to an Indian company.
When I joined he outsourcing company it was like going back into the 70's so disorganized, then when Mellon bought them they dragged them back into the 60's with outlandish practices, like, don't bother testing applications, just put them in to production and fix them later - they spent almost 50% f their time fixing production programs and fixing the data it screwed up.

[ND-Dem]

64. thanks.