<<<<< 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.


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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.


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