British callers may be infuriated when they discover that the company they are telephoning has moved its customer service centre to India.
But their frustration is as nothing compared with the heart attacks, ulcers and insomnia afflicting those on the other end of the line.
Research carried out by India’s booming call centre industry has found the 1.6 million people who work in them, mostly in their twenties, are plagued by ailments arising from the stress of dealing with irate customers.
The Indian government is so concerned about the problem that it is preparing to launch a health strategy for the workers.