Call centre staff working for British companies in India are committing suicide due to harsh working conditions, a report claimed.
It revealed that reports from the subcontinent have blamed long night shifts and "sweatshop" conditions for cases of work-related stress and suicides.
It said British companies that have joined in the offshoring trend for call centres, such as Norwich Union, will be accused by unions of a lack of corporate responsibility.
The report revealed that unions were planning protests, including a consumer boycott. A spokesman for Amicus said: "Conditions are horrendous in Indian call centres. Stressed staff have to work through the night dealing with angry British callers who can't understand them."
A spokesman for Norwich Union denied the claims, and said: "The conditions are comparable to those in the UK. They most certainly do not work in sweatshop conditions," concluded the report.
