Arun Marathe, an employee of Wipro BPO, who is actively involved in the market for the last one year has invested around Rs 80,000. The 24-year-old spends at least an hour daily on the Internet tracking the market. ‘‘I have brokers to advise me. But if I do not track the market on my own, I won’t be able to take decisions regarding my stocks,’’ says Arun.

IN the middle of all those hefty pay hikes, punishing shifts, and closed circuit cameras, young employees in BPOs are fast realising the need for savings and investment. From insurance policies to mutual funds to even equity, BPO staffers are increasingly seeking these as safe havens to secure their future.

Bharath Jagthiani, who is with 24/7 Customer, is another active investor who puts 65% of his Rs 26,000-monthly salary in mutual funds. Though he has invested around Rs 1.59 lakh in two MFs, he feels that putting money in one MF is not a wise strategy. Besides being an active investor, he is a shopaholic and shops with the vouchers given by his company to star performers.

Financial advisors, who endorse the new trend among BPO employees, believe that proper education and guidance is the key to harvest the benefits from investments. ‘‘More BPO employees are looking at the option of investing in systematic investment plans (SIPs). The proportion of their income invested has gone up substantially, and slowly they are realising the value of wealth creation,’’ says Viraj Ghatlia, head, financial planning, IL&FS Investsmart.

... contd.