Bangalore: The rapid global growth of India-based multinationals and the increasing employee mobility are compelling companies to address policy issues on international assignments, according to a study by Mercer.

The report titled 'Expatriate Management Survey : India' is based on contributions from 40 of the largest corporations in India and addresses India-specific nuances and practices as these companies send employees on international assignments.

The report identifies the latest international assignment policies for managing a globally mobile group of employees. It also describes expatriate compensation approaches, trends in expatriate allowances and support, and the use of varying assignments which include short term, long term and commuter assignments.
"Organisations are cognizant that international assignments - and, in particular, those which include family relocation - call for significant investments," says Gangapriya Chakraverti, Business Leader, Information Product Solutions for Mercer India.

"They would like to ensure that their investments deliver an acceptable return by carefully choosing only the best people for the assignments and making efforts to retain them during and after the assignments overseas," Chakraverti added.

An article appeared in Mint says that the companies are also looking for ways to reduce costs wherever possible by hiring local staff instead of making an expatriate assignment.

In order to address ever-evolving business and employee needs, companies are now structuring their international assignment policies based on the nature of the assignment and the importance of the role within the organizational framework.