Business process outsourcing (BPO) activities are generating new employment opportunities in poorer and developing nations such as Brazil, Argentina, India and the Philippines, it has been suggested.

According to a report by the United Nations International Labour Organisation (ILO), trends for offshoring and acquiring services from other companies are creating "good jobs by local standards".

However, the body also suggested more needs to be done to achieve "full decent work" in the growing sector, which is worth an estimated $90 billion per year.

Average wages of an Indian BPO worker are almost double those of other sectors of the nation's economy and more than half as much for staff members of the same age in different industries in the Philippines.

Commenting on the research, co-editor of the study Jon Messenger of the ILO said: "Workers serving outside markets also appear to have better quality jobs than those focused on domestic markets, mainly as a result of the higher skills required in international positions."

The Hindustan Times recently reported that an IT jobs boom is currently taking place in the sector, particularly within business services, possibly boosted by growth in the BPO industry.

Posted by Kate Griffin