The trend in US business for years has been outsourcing, sending US jobs in customer service and other industries overseas. Asian markets such as India and the Philippines provided inexpensive labor to reduce operating costs. But trends turn, and reverse outsourcing is the talk of business.
Asian companies that want to market globally are finding that educated, skilled Americans are unemployed or underemployed due to the recession. They are bringing their companies to the US, either physically or online, and tapping into the abundance of trained US workers needing a job.
Heavy costs associated with travel, time delays and communication errors make doing business with Americans easier and more cost effective in the US, reports the Christian Science Monitor.
Countries such as India that want to be globally competitive found that industries such as health care, insurance and government refused to let sensitive information leave US borders. Rather than let the business go, they are opening offices in the US and hiring American workers to tap these markets.
Jobs in computers, financial services and travel have opened for Americans through Asian companies like Wipro’s Atlanta office, reports Fox News.
Asian companies are also offering Americans online jobs in fields such as graphic design, writing, editing, information technology and engineering. These jobs offer flexibility for workers with family obligations or those who want to pursue other interests, such as writing or continuing education.
A new workforce is emerging. Workers that once enjoyed Manhattan offices with a view are joining stay-at-home mothers to work from home offices with little more than a phone line and internet connection, as Newsweek reported.
The downside for American workers is lower wages and no benefits, but they don’t have to relocate to find work. While many Americans enjoyed the security of paid sick leave and retirement plans, most are grateful to be employed at all.