Wipro to hire 450 people in Bucharest

The local subsidiary of Wipro, one of the largest outsourcing and software services companies in India, will reach 600 employees in Bucharest by the end of next year, from 150 at present. Additionally, company representatives are considering opening a facility outside Bucharest. “We are considering moving outside the capital next year. We are in advanced talks to open a facility in the provinces,” says Roxana Tesiu, human resources manager at Wipro Technologies Romania. Wipro’s Chairman and CEO is Azim Premji, listed by Forbes magazine as the richest person in India for six years (between 1999 and 2005), with a current fortune estimated at 14.8 billion euros. The company provides an extensive range of IT solutions and services, but locally, it is only present with its Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) division. The 600 employees will work in Romania for international clients, and will provide financial-banking and human resource services. “This year, we will hire another 100 people, and will reach 600 employees by 2009,” says Tesiu. Recruitment plans for next year could also mean relocating operations from Bucharest, given that the company only has room for 250 employees in Sema Park. The relatively low workforce available in Bucharest is the main reason prompting players in the services sector to move to the provinces. “The principle we follow is that we have to go where the candidates are. Our information shows that labour costs are lower outside Bucharest,” says Tesiu, who did not provide details on the number of people set to be hired for the new office.