more on Cybercoolies or cyber sahibs?

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 08:18:35 -0800
> From: Enrique A Suarez <isuarez () edsamail com ph>
> Subject: Re: [IP] resend with article attached -- Cybercoolies or cyber 
> sahibs?
> To: dave () farber net
>
> Hello:
>
> I read with interest this posting on call centers. This is because I am a 
> Filipino technology journalist.
> As such, the call center industry here forms part of my beat.
> Just my insights:
> 1) These so-called "coolie wages"--when translated into Philippine 
> pesos--are salaries fit for entry-level yuppies. Jobs in this sector are 
> also vehicles for expanding the middle class in my country.
> 2) I believe Filipinos have greater familiarity with US culture and do not 
> need to hone up on this. Filipinos are also more familiar with American 
> English.
> 3) Call centers--lowly though they may be in the service economy 
> chain--are welcome in the Philippines,because they provide employment to 
> fresh college graduates.
> 4) Filipinos are not competing with India here on wages. In fact, pay 
> scales are almost similar. We are competing on the fact that Philippine 
> history--"50 years in Hollywood" as a US colony--will give us an edge in 
> understanding US clients.Policymakers also believe that the right moves 
> will enable the Philippines to move up the "food chain" vis-a-vis
> e-services in time. But a good start can be made with "call centers" where 
> Filipinos can start to prove their worth.
> 5) Lastly, the policy vis-a-vis e-services--and this includes call 
> centers--is for coopetition with India.
> This is all for now.
> Ike
>
> _

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