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Rising Star
These issues exist. Caste, region, religion all that exists.
Let’s not confuse that with H1B. That is another issue. That is flawed US immigration policy and CEOs exploiting it.
About “alienation”..I don’t know what that means. Indians have a very distinct culture and like to stay within their circle.
I appreciate your perspective. I said “I think” because I am not an expert on the subject, but some quick research seemed to corroborate my thoughts (that not a lot of white Americans go for masters degrees). I have anecdotal evidence/experience of the same at my engineering college althought I don’t know which students were on visa or american citizens, but even as citizens, their parents or grandparents likely came on visa and their still of Indian or Asian decent. What are the options you refer to that allow them to give up the bad aspect of indian work culture? I have many friends working IT jobs that are subjected to the things I’ve mentioned in India, Canada, and I believe US as well. The class distinctions in India and Us are 2 very different qualities of life, including work/life balance, imo. At least some Indians take loans to get the student visa and pay for college abroad and sometimes to even show that they have enough money to survive in the country they’d be studying (or working in if that requirement exists there too, but I am unsure of that). I wasn’t aware h1b salaries are public but the h1b holders working in US and Canada that I know are underpaid when compared to market average for that location, but it could be, at least in part, because their work experience in India is not considered. I am just sharing the experience I’ve collected from my friends. I am showing empathy for Indian and other foreigners situation on h1b and student visa. It’s not easy and things are getting worse. People are moving back to India because there are no jobs and Canada will likely be curbing immigration. I never said anything about desperation or slaves. If I was Indian and had the opportunity to work abroad as opposed to working in India, I would take it. Not only for the travel/life experience, but for the financial gain and to have a chance at a better work environment and work/life balance. So many people in India are trying to get employment in other countries. Why do you think US, Canada, Europe, etc. are filling up with Indians? It’s not because India financial opportunity is plentiful with good work/life balance and quality of life. I love India, but be let’s be realistic here. There are problems and the country is very overpopulated in the cities.
I immigrated to the US 2 decades ago (for college) from India, and have worked for various companies. I have never experienced any sort of caste discrimination and neither do I know anyone who has. Please don’t believe everything you read online.
The H1-B is a completely different issue.
Caste discrimination definitely still exists in India when it comes to marriage (both arranged and love marriages when it comes to parents and family) and I believe with jobs too, at least in some fields/companies. I haven’t heard of it making it’s way over to US, but per my other comment, I’ve seen Indian managers bringing Indian work culture to at least Canada so I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s happening. I think it all comes down to the manager/company/people.
While I haven’t personally experienced it, I know two people who have.
Situation 1: Seattle. My friend has been refused promotions at MAANG companies by their Indian manager due to caste discrimination. The managers were from a ‘higher’ caster and openly told my friend they would not be promoted since the manager didn’t think it was fair for someone of their ‘lower’ caste to even be working at that company, let alone be earning in USD. He took it up with HR with all documented evidence, the manager was given a warning, and this friend still hasn’t been promoted.
Situation 2: Bay Area. Being the only person from a ‘lower’ caste, my friend is expected to shoulder the burden of doing more work assignments, and even help with non-work tasks for an Indian exec at his company, such as taking his dog to the dog spa, getting his cars washed weekly, pickup up his laundry, helping with the execs daughters school projects. The reason he puts up with it is because the exec and his wife keep threatening to get my friends daughter expelled from school.
The exec’s wife has influence over the dean of the prestigious private school where exec’s daughter and my friends daughter study. The execs daughter bullies my friends daughter. He is extremely traumatized and hasn’t been able to quit his job since he’s the sole breadwinner, owns a home in the same community as the exec, meaning no escape for him unless he relocates and moves daughter to another school. Very high mental toll being paid.
This is independent of the H1B visa. One person in question is a US citizen, and other is a greencard holder. The visa status isn’t determining level of discrimination. Perpetrators with a diminished mindset are everywhere.
I completely agree with you, unfortunately it’s not as easy, my friend still lives in fear of retaliation towards his wife (they are neighbors in the same community), his daughter (influence over Dean of school), and himself (the Exec in the past contacted a potential employer and gave terrible feedback when he tried to interview at another company).
I don’t agree with his approach, but understand his situation and reasons for putting up with this unacceptable behavior.