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Human Resources
One of India’s advantages as a business location is the availability of a large base of skilled manpower in industry and service sectors. This advantage is most visible in knowledge-based sectors such as information technology, medicine and pharmaceuticals. Conversance in English is an additional advantage in services, marketing and communication- oriented industries, especially in the IT-enabled service sector. The availability of skilled and suitable personnel largely depends on the industry concerned. There is considerable turnover in some sectors, especially in the IT sector.

The assumption of India being a low-cost location within Asia is not always correct: Indian costs in service sectors; marketing and financial professions are often higher than many Asian countries. Labour costs too, are low only in nominal value; adjusting for productivity Indian manufacturing wages are higher than many Asian countries. Trade unionism and political interference have a considerable influence on work-force rationalization, layoffs, closure and restructuring. Finding personnel for start-ups is most conveniently done through manpower placement firms and head-hunters, and several international firms have a presence in India. Some have been featured in the Annex to this guide.
Corporate Remuneration structures (median)
Cadre Monthly Remuneration Rs. Qualifications Experience
Junior Executives

12-25,000

Graduate/ MBA 2-5 years
Junior Managers 25-50,000 Graduate/ MBA 4-8 years
Middle Managers 50-100,000 MBA 5-10 years
Function Heads 100-200,000 Professional/MBA 8-15 years
Profit Centre Heads 200-300,000 +/ SOPs or % Professional/MBA Job specific
CEO/CFO/Board level No norms    
Head-hunter’s fee 2-3 months salary    

Figures reflect median levels of compensation in leading companies in most industries

Source: Internal compilation
Outsourcing: Increasingly, several functions such as payroll, public relations and advertising, even customer management are being outsourced in India. As this attracts the provisions of contract labour regulations, the scope and nature of contract employments is being redefined. With major changes expected in the Contract Labour Act, outsourcing will only increase in the future, making steady and permanent jobs a distant memory from the past.

Appointment of Expatriates
Foreign nationals are allowed, in principle, to be employed in India either on a short duration or in regular employment on a non-permanent basis, for periods usually up to three years.

The basic requirements are:
a) A valid business visa/working permit
b) Prior approval by the Reserve Bank of India, for repatriation facilities.
c) Permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs, for extended stay in India (exceeding three months)
d) Permission from the Dept of Company Affairs for appointment of an Expatriate as Whole time Director if he was not resident in India during the past twelve months
e) Clearance from the Dept of Company Affairs for managerial remuneration to the Managing or Whole time Director, in excess of specified norms

Foreign nationals in regular employment of Indian Companies (including joint ventures) can remit up to 75% of their monthly earnings abroad to meet their overseas expenses or maintain the family etc, after payment of any taxes in India. Retirement facilities to foreigners allow capital repatriation up to Rs 1 million (Euro 17110), besides all savings generated from bonafide income, without any restrictions.