New York, NY —
New York State Senator Charles Schumer has proposed legislation that would penalize companies that outsource jobs overseas.
"We have to figure out a way to keep and create jobs in America," Sen. Schumer said. "And aside from manufacturing, probably the number one area where jobs have just fled overseas in huge percentages are these call centers."
The Democratic senator's bill would impose a 25 cent excise tax on companies that transfer calls with American area codes to foreign call centers. The measure would also require companies to inform U.S. customers when their calls are being transferred abroad, and which countries their calls are being transferred to.
If Schumer's bill is passed, companies would have to report the number of customer service calls received and the number of calls relayed overseas. There would be no fees imposed on domestic call centers.