Indian techies hit by recession in US

Date: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 12:25 AM

<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1949 -- 12/23/2008 >>>>>

The last time there was a big downturn in the economy, the H-1B's depressed
wages because they would accept anything to stay in the country. They admit
their dilemma when they say things like, "retaining a job is a luxury these
days". What that really means is that they will work for nothing if they can
stay in the U.S. They know all too well that for every one that leaves our
country, there are many more who will accept Walmart wages just to maintain
their visa status.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

http://www.calcuttanews.net/story/431426

Indian techies hit by recession in US
Calcutta News.Net
Tuesday 18th November, 2008 (IANS)

Less than three weeks ago, Saurabh (name changed) relocated along with his
family from Edison, the Indian neighbourhood in New Jersey, to Silicon Valley
in California as he switched jobs. Before moving, he put his house, which he
had bought last year, on sale and leased an apartment at his new work place.

One fine morning, two weeks after he moved with bag and baggage to Silicon
Valley, he was quietly handed the pink slip by his boss in his chamber along
with about two dozen of his colleagues. Saurabh, who has two kids to support,
is jobless again.

'It is very difficult, these days. There are no jobs available,' Saurabh told
IANS, requesting that his name and the name of the company not be disclosed.
So did others interviewed for this report.

Luckily enough, he has a permanent residency visa, which is more popularly
known as the Green Card, because of which he can stay in this country and
search for a new job. But many of his colleagues do not even have that luxury.
They are getting ready to go back home as they can't live in this country on
an H-1B visa if they don't have a job.

'Even retaining a job is a luxury these days,' said Manish Gupta who works
with another multinational company in mid-town Manhattan. Some of his friends
have already left for India after they received the pink slip last month.

While there is no official figure about the number of Indian Americans who
have lost their jobs, in the US pink slips are being handed out in hundreds
and thousands.

Anand Kumar, software professional, who works with a Swiss multinational in
New York City, was informed by his HR department that his salary has been
slashed by 10 percent from the next pay cheque. Still he says he is ok.
'That is fine. At least I have my job so far,' he said.

Stories of pink slips and losing jobs abound among the Indian American
community here. In fact, this seems to be the only topic of conversation when
two techies meet or at any of their social gatherings.

The reports that the economic meltdown will continue has made a large number
of Indian American software professionals - who account for a majority of
those holding the most sought after H-1B visa - edgy.

'People are being fired even from companies which were earlier considered
safe. These are tough days,' said Rakesh Tyagi, who lost his job last week.
He was working with a chemical company in Buffalo, in upstate New York.
Rakesh, who came to the US just before the 2001 twin-tower attack, said the
situation then was not as bad as it is now.

When contacted, officially none of these companies are willing to talk about
job loss, but even a small chat with those working there indicates the grim
scenario.

'Nothing is certain. We are now living on a day to day basis,' said Ashutosh
Sen. Several of his friends and colleagues have lost jobs in the past one
month. 'Hardly a day passes when I do not hear this story,' he said.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Newsletter Homepage:
http://www.JobDestruction.com/shameh1b/JobDestructionNews.htm

Support this Newsletter and www.JobDestruction.com by donating:
www.zazona.com/Donations.htm

To Be removed from this mailing list, reply to this email with UNSUbSCRIBE in
the subject window

Back to archives