subject: The Travails Of Indians Working In New Zealand [print this page] New Zealand is one of the countries recognized to be one of the most developed countries in the world. This economic might has attracted many workers from all over the world and many Indians have heeded the call for skilled professional workers.
Getting to New Zealand is already a difficult journey for any Indian. The strict requirements that need to be complied with weed out the undesirables and allow only those with expertise and capacity to enter the country. When the Indian reaches the destination, there is a rude awakening for the worker as they seek greener pastures in the country.
Job Openings. Indians working in New Zealand are often employed in an administrative position or a function where physical labor is done. Often, they are employed in entry-level positions such as customer service, clerical or low-end job and despite sterling work are not promoted despite their qualifications and skills. This is because despite their qualifications, they do not have actual working experience in the country that is essential for the improvement of work opportunities for the Indian national in Kiwiland.
Salary Expectations. Indians working in the destination country often receive salaries that are below the current salary levels of New Zealanders. Being underpaid though is not the fault of the employer as Indians in New Zealand accept or even negotiate contracts of employment below the minimum standards in order to hold on to the job. As such, it is recommended that Indians coming to the Kiwi country should have an existing job offer because cold calling for jobs in country would be quite difficult.
Commensurate Experience. Many Indians currently employed are actually underemployed. Being underemployed means that the qualifications of the individual employed is well above the work being done. Examples of which are structural engineers working as janitors or doctors working as orderlies in hospitals. The reason for such underemployment is the non-recognition of education attained in India for many individuals from the sub-continent working in Kiwi country. Only a few educational institutions are recognized and this casts a long shadow for many Indian professionals qualified to do more with their degrees.
The journey to New Zealand is only half the difficulty that an Indian faces in seeking better employment in a foreign land. Finding work with the limited job opportunities, lowered salary received and unrecognized experience and education are landmines that Indians seeking work there. Managing the expectations of Indians going abroad, especially to New Zealand can only help them be prepared for the world ahead of them.
