Indian employees lose out to local staff in TCS rethink

Increasing protectionism is forcing TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) to hire staff locally in its international operations. With tariff and non-tariff barriers rising in many countries, TCS is having to rethink its strategy of deployment of Indian expertise abroad. In its annual report 2008-2009, TCS states, ‘To counter possible protectionist tendencies….the company is refining the business model to reduce the amount of work at customer locations and move work to other remote locations and hiring of more local nationals in key markets to ensure continuity for customers. TCS saw the headcount of foreign national employees rise to almost 11,500 from 10,000 a year ago.