NE exodus: Bangalore companies reassure their employees

Bangalore: Some companies in Bangalore are doing their best to keep their employees safe in the IT capital only, even as the news of mass exodus of Northeast Indians dominates the media.

But the fear is apparent, despite the effort to ebb the panic. "We were getting 100 phone calls from our parents," said a person from Northeast.

"Have lived here (Bangalore) for ten years...Something like this is happening for the first time," said another person.

Some companies in Bangalore are doing their best to keep their Northeast employees safe in the IT capital only.

Last week some service industry professionals moved out of their dormitories and paying guest accommodations in Bangalore fearing threats. Their bosses taken on rent a house in the upmarket Jayanagar area and offered to let them stay there, until the crisis blows over. Many of the professionals took up the offer.

"They pick us up and drop us...take care of food," said an employee.

Vibes Vice President, Geeta Paul, says she is spending a bit extra was better than losing her workforce to panic.

"The social and moral responsibility is to safeguard them," said Paul.

In many software companies, nearly 20 per cent of the employees are from the Northeast. Instead of rushing back to their hometowns, many of them decided to stay put defiantly, after their bosses reassured them.

"Where do we go? We're all Indians," said Karma Bhutia, Managing Partner, Source N.

But many Northeast Indians says the issue was exaggerated in Bangalore.

"There never was a problem…and there isn't now," said a person.

"These are just rumours...there was nothing serious about it," said another person.

Companies say it was mostly less educated employees, like security men and restaurant workers, who acted hastily by fleeing the city. Facing a manpower crunch, many employers are keeping jobs, of those who fled, open for them hoping that they will return.

Eid is over and it's back to business for many sectors, but security agencies in Bangalore continue to face a serious crunch - because nearly 40 per cent of their trained employees have moved out. And until they get back, it's the rest of the people in Bangalore, who should feel insecure.

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