[anand33]

I see that many employers are posting absurdly low rates and expecting MTs will apply in hordes for those positions. Their repeated ads show that they are not able to retain/get good talent. And then, there are those dreaded platforms for which there are little to no takers. Yes, also on the other hand are those few employers whose vacancies are lapped up no sooner than they post their ad and they do not have to take the trouble of reposting it! So, I was wondering what all of you out here think are good rates and platforms currently, which are MT-friendly.

I personally think that a flat rate of INR 1 for VRE and INR 2 for manual transcription for day-shift HBT DU are decent rates to start with. Regarding platforms, considering whatever little exposure I have had to a few, I would rather work on EditScript or the old fashioned way via FTP.

Of course, there are many variables here to consider which change from company to company like perks, allowances, dictators, targets, shifts, etc. and different MTs too have their priorities/conveniences in choosing one thing over the other, but I think everyone's opinions will help evolve a consensus from which all can benefit, and maybe even rethink on their hard-and-fast views.

Rate is important, but good rates do not guarantee good payout at the end of the month.  In most of the platforms, job pool is not completely visible.  Let me agree Rs. 1 for VRE and Rs. 2 for transcription is good.  For the first month it is okay.  In the second month or third month, they says jobs are less due to day light savings.  Take another account.  Then u have to start fresh, obtaining DSP.  Where is the chance of earning.  They give slabs if u do more than 20 thousand lines, it is Rs. 1.10, but there is no guarantee of jobs available.  They advertise we want 20-25 good mt and they want vendors, but the fact is in most cases they do not have lines.  It is simply a plan to acquire a new account.  Recently Nuance Vice president has stated in Deccan Hearald new paper Karnataka edition, the starting earning potential is 20-25K and it can go up to 70K.  How many of them are drawing this figure in Nuance no body knows.   That is the reason mtforum admin is telling newbies, do not join MT because it is empty. 

Regarding the newpaper report that appeared in Deccan Herald, a Bangalore based newspaper, I think it is completely false information given by Nuance vice president.  There is no chance of 20-25K of earning at the starting level of an MT as I am getting only Rs 15,000 maximum/month working as an home MT after 7 years of experience in the MT field.  I am doing manual transcription and the rate I am getting is 0.95 paise/line and after about 10 hours working per day I am able to do only 600 lines maximum because I am getting only very tough dictations.  I advice the newcomers to this field do not fall a prey to this field which is nothing but a field of slavery.