subject: Managing Expectations Of Nris Returning Home [print this page] After nearly half a century of the diaspora of skilled workers from the sub-Continent to Western countries, Oceania and the Gulf Coast counties, many now are deciding on whether to stay put or come back home. The current financial distress in these countries and the continued economic growth of India has made this option a very enticing and lucrative decision to make.
Before making such a leap forward, there are a few expectations that need to be addressed for the returning Indian professional. The following are just some of the expectations that need to be properly managed.
Lower Salaries. The main reason many Indians have opted to work overseas is the salaries receivable for the work done. Now, the economic up trends have narrowed this gap, though not equally as it were. There is still some disparity between salaries receivable abroad and the salaries receivable in the country. This difference though is easily overcome as India's cost of living is considered as one of the lowest in the world.
Lesser Opportunities. The work opportunities though are quite few for Indians previously working overseas. Work in marketing and advertising, office staff jobs as well as other enterprise positions often do not consider former overseas workers. If the work experience of the Indian is in manufacturing or information technology, then these are considered blue chips for Indian companies hiring them. In addition, many local companies may find the expected salaries of returning Indians as too steep but there are a number of multi-national companies already operating in the country that can afford and employ these specialists.
Different Work Standards. Working in the Western world provides a different set of benefits as well as work standards compared to working in India. This includes social security, retirement and even office work protocols. Even if the returning Indian has worked in India, it would not be surprising for these returnees to find and even criticize work conditions in India. Aside from work issues, traveling and even cost of living becomes a point of comparison. What the returnee should do is be able to relearn everything as well as adjust to the conditions that are very different before they left India.
As the Indian economy grows, the brain drain of Indian professionals is now going into reverse. Many Indians, because of the economic issues in their new country of residence, have made the decision to return to the old country for a new start. Before making such a decision, there a few expectations that needs to be properly managed. The returning Indian should overcome the fewer opportunities, the lower salaries and the different work standards in India to be successful in their decision to return home.
