Cleaning up our act

Indian students have been in the spotlight in the last few months for a number of reasons: their concerns about personal security; their helplessness at an education system which they perceive ignores their cry for help; their ongoing battle against the largely unregulated education industry with its share of corrupt education institutions and migration agents; their uncertainty as to changing rules for their courses etc. It has made it a difficult time for them in their pursuit of eduction in Australia. Added to this, the distance from family and friends in the home country, makes it even more challenging for them to ensure they use the education opportunities in Australia to maximum benefit.

These challenges are coupled with the ever persistent financial pressures of living here. They are aware of their work limitations, they are also acutely aware of the basic needs they need to survive here – food, clothing, shelter and education bills. They are also fully aware of the 28-factor i.e., the average conversion rate between the dollar and the rupee, knowing fully well that sourcing funds from India, over and above what they already have, will be difficult for their families. Their pride, to an extent, also prevents them from putting their hand out. Their newfound independence in Australia urges them to stand on their own two feet.

By Pawan Luthra

And so they turn to look for employment opportunities. With limited local experience, study schedules which make regular office work difficult, they turn to more flexible businesses – spice shops, restaurants, call centres, car washes, convenience stores and petrol stations, to earn a living. Often they turn to businesses owned by Indian Australians. There is a feeling of comfort and closeness as there are expats around and this brings a feeling of “home” in an unknown world.

While a majority of these jobs are wonderful and both the students and the bosses get value from each other, there are unfortunately rogues and charlatans who exploit their helpless countrymen in their hour of need. Staff are underpaid, physically and emotionally abused by their Indian employers who quickly understand that the local legal knowledge of the average Indian student is limited. Their reach to the forces of law being uncertain, they can be intimidated with threats of complaints to the Immigration department which can jeopardise their potential PR application. Female students sometimes find themselves more vulnerable to the advances of their bosses. Certainly these incidents are far and few between, but they need to stop completely.

The Indian community is treading on thin ice in Australia. A lot of goodwill created over the last 30 years has been eroded with the uncovering of unscrupulous activities within the established Indian education and migration sectors. Shonky promotions by leading Indian business groups have also started sowing the seeds of doubt in the minds of mainstream Australians. More exposes of such nefarious activities will surely harm the community as a whole.

It is time to clean the skeletons out of the cupboards and move forward in a transparent and clear manner – not only in our dealings with those who can defend themselves, but especially with the weak, who cannot.