Mumbai at a Glance

Working in Mumbai

Mumbai's urban economy alone creates over 6% of India's GDP.

Planning on working in Mumbai? It is not always easy to find a job in one of the most densely populated cities in the world. But for all successful job-hunters and expatriates, our InterNations guide lists a few things to keep in mind about working in Mumbai, including etiquette and social security.

People working in Mumbai generate about 6% of India’s GDP. Commonly referred to as the commercial and entertainment capital of India, it is the seat of some important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay and National Stock Exchange. Several multinational corporations are working in Mumbai as well, having established headquarters or branches in the city. The per capita income of people working in Mumbai can be three times as high as the national average.

Working in Mumbai: Employment Opportunities

Competition for jobs is fierce among employees working in Mumbai, resulting in longer working hours and a more westernized style of business than in other parts of the country. Civil servants make up a big share of people working in Mumbai, but so does the unskilled or semi-skilled self-employed population. Apart from taxi drivers, the notorious armies of dabbawallas working in Mumbai – messengers delivering lunch boxes to office workers – are a good example of Mumbai’s unskilled, sometimes barely illiterate lower class.

Apart from maritime trade, healthcare, IT, textiles and diamond polishing, the media is a big employer of people working in Mumbai. The “Bollywood” film industry, producing roughly 1,000 films per year, is a large part of its business world. Plenty of advertising agencies and numerous television production companies are also based in the city, providing jobs to thousands of employees working in Mumbai’s creative media.

Working in Mumbai: Business Etiquette

As mentioned above, the style of business among people working in Mumbai has been westernized. The increased presence of foreign companies and business opportunities result in large numbers of expats working in Mumbai, who brought their own style and pace of business to India. However, there are major differences between the business cultures, so foreigners should be aware of some general rules before they start working in Mumbai.

With its structure still rooted in the traditional Hindi caste system, Indian society is more hierarchical than what many Westerners working in Mumbai may be used to. This, of course, also influences how people working in Mumbai deal with each other.

In an office environment, for example, menial tasks such as moving tables and chairs are rarely ever done by the regular office staff. Indian companies employ “runners” for this kind of work, even if it might not seem like the most efficient way of running an office to some expats working in Mumbai.

Expatriates from an Anglo-Saxon background in particular should note that the correct way of addressing business associates is with their title and surname rather than first name. Some Indians from the south of the country may only have one name; in this case it is used together with the correct title. It is also of utmost importance to always carry an abundant supply of business cards around. Failure to hand out your business card at a meeting in Mumbai might be considered impolite.

Working in Mumbai: Useful Tips

Gifts may be exchanged, but not necessarily at the first meeting. They should not be expensive and are rarely unwrapped in the presence of the giver. Avoid causing embarrassment by ensuring your gifts don’t contain alcohol, meat or leather products if you are unsure about your associates’ religious beliefs. Establishing good professional and personal relationships with your contacts is essential for successfully working in Mumbai.

Don’t cause affront by being too straightforward. “No” is a word rarely used, even in a private context – “I’ll see what I can do” or “I have to double-check this” are more appropriate. Patience and good will are more likely to win you respect in Mumbai than openly confrontational behavior. Indian businesspeople often don’t commit to anything at the first meeting. Bargaining negotiations are acceptable and may even be expected.