There is a strong public opinion regarding outsourcing (especially when combined with offshoring) that outsourcing damages a local labor market. Outsourcing is the transfer of the delivery of services which affects both jobs and individuals. It is difficult to dispute that outsourcing has a detrimental effect on individuals who face job disruption and employment insecurity; however, its supporters believe that outsourcing should bring down prices, providing greater economic benefit to all.
A number of hi tech jobs have moved to India from the US and people often wonder whether this trend benefits the US in anyway. So, how does a developing India benefit the American worker?
Outward Indian FDI
The increasing number of home-grown Indian firms (e.g. Tata Group, Infosys,Ranbaxy) and their improving ownership-specific advantages, including financial capability, are among the key drivers of outward FDI. In addition, the growing competitiveness of Indian firms involved in providing outsourced business and IT-services to foreign clients has provided a push for these firms themselves to go offshore to operate near their clients and to look for new markets. All this requires considerable investments and hiring local candidates who understand the market.
Examples
- The Tata Group that operates 16 companies in the US -- from luxury hotels and beverage business to manufacturing, telecom and IT consulting -- employs over 5,000 Americans.
- Ranbaxy is creating jobs and stimulating the economy in North Carolina, New Jersey and Florida
- Mahendra & Mahendra is planning to launch a car in the US.
- Infosys and other IT companies are employing US workers for their American operations in search of newer markets.
According to one study Indian companies have created 30,000 new jobs in the US.
India - US Nuclear deal
India plans to import eight 1000 mw nuclear-powered reactors by 2012 and the US hopes to win at least two contracts, which it feels will significantly boost its atomic industry. The envisaged sale of at least two reactors, to what it calls ‘lucrative and growing Indian market’, would create 3000-5000 direct jobs and 10,000-15,000 indirect jobs in the US nuclear industry, the US Department of State has said.
Government support
The Indian government's adoption of liberal measures and various monetary relaxations paces up India's economic progress. Indian companies are now increasingly being encouraged to open units in the US and other developed nations. The same Indian companies that were blamed for "outsourcing" are now providing large-scale employment opportunities in the USA giving rise to a ''reverse outsourcing'' trend.
Increasing US Exports
Over the last five years, U.S. exports to India have more than doubled, helping to create better-paying jobs in the United States. The United States and India agree that trade is essential to promoting global economic growth, development, freedom, and prosperity. A richer India will have a greater purchasing power to buy US goods indirectly impacting job growth in the US.
Trade will always be a two way street and the India- US trade relations is only the beginning. With the growing strategic ties between the US and India coupled with people to people contact both countries are poised to mutually benefit from this cooperation. In years to come, USA is likely to receive more investments leading to job creation in the USA. Hence, the American worker should not view India as a threat but as a partner.
