Author: Phil Mercer
Publication: BBC News
Date: September 11, 2006
URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5334878.stm
Indians have emerged as the fastest-growing
group of migrants entering Australia.
They are now the third-largest immigrant group
behind the British and New Zealanders.
The Indians bring with them the expertise
that Australia's booming economy desperately needs, amid a chronic skills
shortage.
Engineers, accountants and health professionals
are all making the move as India's reputation for producing a talented workforce
continues to grow.
Shantanu Chakraborty moved to Sydney from
Mumbai five years ago and is having the time of his life in his adopted homeland.
"They do value me (at work) because within
two years of joining them they've given me a partnership offer in the firm,
which is brilliant," the 32-year-old IT expert told the BBC. "If
you are good at your work, opportunities are there."
It can be hard, though, for migrants to climb
the career ladder.
Shantanu's wife, Nishita Bhansali, is a designer
who has found it tough getting on at work.
"The interior design and architecture
field here is fairly saturated. There's always someone out there who's maybe
not as skilled but willing to work for less money," she explained.
Global competition
Most Indians find it easy to settle here.
Many of the newcomers spent time studying in Australia before applying for
permanent visas.
Australia vies for their skills with other
western nations.
Former government adviser and newspaper columnist
Gerard Henderson says it is vital that Australia does well in this global
competition for skilled labour.
"The word has got out that Australia's
looking for well-educated migrants with good English, and Indians fit that.
So the question is whether those who want to leave India want to come to Australia
or the United States or Britain or Canada," said Henderson.
"There's almost full employment in most
parts of Australia and we're after workers for key industries."
Trade unions have complained that importing
so many foreign workers does not address the root causes of Australia's skills
shortage.
Dr Amanda Wise from Macquarie University says
recruiting migrants might not be a long-term solution.
"There is some argument from the unions
that it's actually a bit of a quick fix, that the government should be investing
in Australian residents," Dr Wise explained.
"Should we just be going overseas to
import skilled workers which is the cheap way for an employer to do it rather
than training and education?" she asked.
'Motivated'
Indians make up around 10% of new settlers
here and that figure is expected to rise. They are now surpassing the Chinese
and the Vietnamese as well as the Italians and Greeks.
Dr Prabhat Sinha from the United Indian Association
believes there are simple reasons why so many immigrants from India have done
so well in Australia.
"Indians are very motivated people, it
doesn't matter what profession they are in. Even in (the) business sector
they're doing very well," he stressed.
"They are very understanding about the
needs of a country, may it be business or whatever field it is."
Researchers point out that this can, however,
be a lonely place for new migrants from India.
Social isolation and discrimination at work
can pose problems. But for most newcomers the migration experience is a positive
one.
The fact is Australia's vibrant economy simply
cannot do without them.
Nishita and Shantanu are shining examples
of the type of people Australia would like to attract.
"I think Australia's a great place to
live and moving here is probably one of the best decisions we've both made
in our lives," said 30-year-old Nishita enthusiastically.
"Absolutely," agreed her husband.
"I don't think I'm going to go back unless there's something drastic
happening on the other side of the world but now I'm here for life."
